BCS vs. Playoffs? That is the question.
Following the 1997-98 Season, when Michigan & Nebraska were declared as Co-National Champs, the NCAA implemented the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The BCS was created to ensure that the #1 & #2 ranked teams play each other to declare the “true” National Champ. The problem with the BCS system is this - the ranking system is still based heavily on AP & Coaches Polls. Although strength of schedule & conference are factors, it always seems that the teams that are ranked #1 & #2 in the polls, also sit atop the rankings in the BCS. So basically, the Press & biased coaches decide who plays for the National Championship. Doesn’t really seem fair does it?
The truth is, College Football makes WAY too much money with the bowl system to even care to think about a playoff system. In the 2010 National Championship game alone, the estimated payout was $31 Million.
So here is my solution.
If College Football wishes to keep the BCS, let ‘em. Just implement the 10 BCS teams & 5 BCS games into a Playoff.
Using the playoff bracket pictured above, it will take 4 weeks to complete all of the games. This is the same amount of time teams have off from the end of the regular season until they play their bowl game. A playoff system would eliminate this down time. The BCS could also have each playoff game be hosted by a different bowl. This would be beneficial because every playoff game would be at a neutral site, eliminating home field advantage. And because the BCS is still in place, the NCAA can keep their smaller bowl games so nobody loses out on any money.
I believe that if the NCAA adopts this Playoff System, it will solve a ton of issues. Bowls get to keep their games. Colleges get to keep their money. The NCAA gets to keep their BCS. And most importantly, the fans will be satisfied!
