🏈 Great point on Outside the Lines on the playoffs in college football. It's one I hadn't considered.

[Bo]

As I said before, I'm all for a +1, as long as it stays at just that. Or at least moves up no further than an 8 team play-off. But, I just don't see it staying at 8 teams or less once it gets started. Once the money hungry folks see how much money is being made with just 8, they're goin to want to make more and start adding more teams, which will devalue the regular season. The NCAA basketball Tourney is a perfect example. 32 teams were plenty, but they keep increasing the number, just to get more games and make more money.

 

[TerryP]

As I said before, I'm all for a +1, as long as it stays at just that. Or at least moves up no further than an 8 team play-off. But, I just don't see it staying at 8 teams or less once it gets started. Once the money hungry folks see how much money is being made with just 8, they're goin to want to make more and start adding more teams, which will devalue the regular season. The NCAA basketball Tourney is a perfect example. 32 teams were plenty, but they keep increasing the number, just to get more games and make more money.

I don't think the NCAA basketball tourney is a good example in comparison. Its virtually against zero competition when it comes to TV time.

You move to a playoff and the schedules change. Some propose they start in December. Of course, that's smack dab in the middle of finals. It's also going against other bowl games in Dec. for TV revenue. Don't think those bowl games in December are huge money-makers. They aren't. You think attendance is poor at some of the bowl games now, put a playoff in during the month of December and watch that drop even more.

One thing Stoops mentioned was the "event" atmosphere that surrounds the bowl games. In terms of the players getting a chance to enjoy that trip as a reward, the playoff does take that component out of the picture. They'd fly in on Friday and out early Sunday AM...IF there wasn't competition coming from NFL games in January.

Start the season earlier? That might work, but wouldn't be well accepted because of the student body contingent not being in place at full force. Then, you'd have to change the rules in the NCAA's book and we know...

Plus one solves most problems.

 

[Southern Bama]

I can accept a "plus one" and i think thats easily doable. But as Terry said, too many hurdles IMO for a true "playoff" system to be implemented. But, regardless of whats done....not everyone will be satisfied and there will likely always be some degree of controversy about the process.

 

[RollTideinGA]

I dont think we will ever do away with polls....playoff or not. Somebody still has to vote to decide who plays and from what ranking. Here is the clip from Blue print for change....note what Urban says about the SEC schedule.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWQjDxmqerQ

Not so fast my friend. Does anyone rank the NFL or the lower NCAA Divisions? They decide based off how they finish in their conferences.

This panel is weak. How come no one ever says hey all other divisions of college football have a playoff? How come every NCAA sport except Div 1 football has a playoff? Its the money, the bowls, ESPN, AP , BCS, etc...they would lose their part of the pie if it were solely determined on the field and not by voters or a flawed system. I saw flawed because you can end up with an undefeated team that got no shot at the title. Would they have lost against the # 1 BCS maybe, but we'll never know.

The more practices, exam time, etc is all weak because as I say above the lower divisions do it already.

Honestly I do not care I just don't agree with the argument against because it doesn't make any sense. Its all about money plain and simple.

 

[russb8903]

^^I'll admit, cogent arguments can be made for a playoff of some sort. However, to say its all about money plain and simple is not only neither of those, it's wrong.

 

[TheChief]

Travel is not a problem if the games are played on the highest seeds campus.The same 10,000 fans don't travel every week to away games anyway. The championship game can be at a neutral site. The arguments for a playoff in the book Death to the BCS has still not been answered in my opinion.

I am for a playoff where only BCS conference champions make it to the playoffs. The non-BCS schools can have their own separate playoff. It seems absurd to me that a team can be national champion and yet finish second in their conference like Oklahoma attempted to do a few years back.

This^

 

[TheChief]

Furthermore, most of the games would be in December when classes are NOT IN SESSION. Sixteen teams. It's doable. There are more problems with the bowls than with a playoff. How do the other colleges do it? I thought it wasn't doable.

Playoffs!!!! Bring them on.

 

[Southern Bama]

Not so fast my friend. Does anyone rank the NFL or the lower NCAA Divisions? They decide based off how they finish in their conferences.

This panel is weak. How come no one ever says hey all other divisions of college football have a playoff? How come every NCAA sport except Div 1 football has a playoff? Its the money, the bowls, ESPN, AP , BCS, etc...they would lose their part of the pie if it were solely determined on the field and not by voters or a flawed system. I saw flawed because you can end up with an undefeated team that got no shot at the title. Would they have lost against the # 1 BCS maybe, but we'll never know.

The more practices, exam time, etc is all weak because as I say above the lower divisions do it already.

Honestly I do not care I just don't agree with the argument against because it doesn't make any sense. Its all about money plain and simple.

Explain how you think the playoff system would work with no polls, different conferences with different amounts of members, etc. How many regular games in a season...how many playoff games and what time of the year would these games be played to work around the exam schedule etc. Im just trying to see how it would work in detail, from anyone that says it can work.

 

[RollTideinGA]

Explain how you think the playoff system would work with no polls, different conferences with different amounts of members, etc. How many regular games in a season...how many playoff games and what time of the year would these games be played to work around the exam schedule etc. Im just trying to see how it would work in detail, from anyone that says it can work.

They would probably have to realign the conferences so that they could make it work. Its done every year in lower divisions of CFB. I don't see what the big deal is. Like I said I don't really care, but as a college football fan I am tired of the years where more than one team ends up undefeated. And on ESPN2 they are showing Div 2 and Div 3 playoffs deciding the champion on the field. So as a fan I would like to see it change. The excuses to me aren't valid because it happens every year in all other sports.

You could probably use some sort of poll that wouldn't start until mid-season similar to the BCS ranking where it comes in at week 8 right.

 

[Southern Bama]

They would probably have to realign the conferences so that they could make it work. Its done every year in lower divisions of CFB. I don't see what the big deal is. Like I said I don't really care, but as a college football fan I am tired of the years where more than one team ends up undefeated. And on ESPN2 they are showing Div 2 and Div 3 playoffs deciding the champion on the field. So as a fan I would like to see it change. The excuses to me aren't valid because it happens every year in all other sports.

You could probably use some sort of poll that wouldn't start until mid-season similar to the BCS ranking where it comes in at week 8 right.

So...you dont really know exactly how it can work but you are convinced it can work :headscratch: We always hear people comment on how they disagree with how something works but very few can offer an alternative that is better. And Im not trying to argue..please dont take it that way...Im just looking for a realistic playoff process in detail....and I have yet to find one person that can offer one. BTW....is the playoff more for us as fans...or for the kids playing ? Seems to me that the fans are screaming alot louder than the kids. From some of the stuff ive heard, the players really like the bowl games and how things are.

 

[kc]

Plus one system is the only option I see for the immediate future.

 

[252BAMA]

This argument has been going on for over 50 years, and here's hoping it's still going on for the next 50 years. Because, if not, the first time Bama mails in the Auburn game in order to prepare for a damn playoff game will be the last time any Bama fan is in favor of a playoff.

 

[RollTideinGA]

So...you dont really know exactly how it can work but you are convinced it can work :headscratch: We always hear people comment on how they disagree with how something works but very few can offer an alternative that is better. And Im not trying to argue..please dont take it that way...Im just looking for a realistic playoff process in detail....and I have yet to find one person that can offer one. BTW....is the playoff more for us as fans...or for the kids playing ? Seems to me that the fans are screaming alot louder than the kids. From some of the stuff ive heard, the players really like the bowl games and how things are.

Hey "Mr Im not trying to argue!" I didn't say I had the solution. I said I want to see an end to a season with a clear champion. Not two or more undefeated teams that never played each other. And I believe if it works for all other NCAA Football divisions then why not this one. That's all I'm asking. Sorry to disappoint you but I don't have time to sit and figure out the solution to meet your standards. I'm just a fan. This isn't something that directly impacts my life and it isn't my job, but I am pretty sure I can have an opinion about it if you approve or not.

You want a realistic view of a college football playoff, look up all the other NCAA divisions. I think that would work because it does every year. I had a buddy that played for Ga Southern and won two national championships while he was there. He wears his ring and proudly will argue with anyone about how the playoff system is better than the bowls. Every major sport has a playoff except NCAA Div 1 football- what's wrong with that picture?


The FCS playoffs started on Nov 27th and were done by Jan 7th. What's the big difference between that and the bowls as far as schedules?
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/stat/iaa-playoffs.htm

 

[Crimson14Tide]

This argument has been going on for over 50 years, and here's hoping it's still going on for the next 50 years. Because, if not, the first time Bama mails in the Auburn game in order to prepare for a damn playoff game will be the last time any Bama fan is in favor of a playoff.

Well, that would be an incredibly stupid decision considering taking a loss could mean the difference in playing Troy at home or having to travel to Baton Rouge to play LSU in the first round. I'm going to go out on a limb & say that no coaching staff in place during my lifetime would make such a terrible decision.


100 teams
10 conferences
10 teams per conference
Round robin conference schedule
16-team playoff w/Conference Champions & 6 at-large bids
You can still have the meaningless bowl games for all the 6-6 teams that want a participation trophy
Of course you still have the polls, you just don't come out with the first one until Week 8. NO pre-season polls. A selection committee determines the 6 at-large bids as well as seeding for all 16 teams.
First 2 rounds are played at the higher seed's home stadium. Final rounds played at Rose, Sugar, Cotton, & Orange Bowls.

This isn't very hard, in fact it's ridiculously simple. Why didn't someone install this systems decades ago? Same reason cigarettes are legal. Human beings are stupid. Offer a man a one thousand dollar bill in exchange for the one hundred dollar bill in his wallet & he will clutch to it for dear life because if he gives you the one hundred dollars he won't have it anymore!

Pretty much a perfect analogy for why we still have meaningless scrimmages in December & January instead of crowning an actual champion at the end of the season:

As for 'Bama fans not wanting a true playoff the includes all conference champions...that's just baffling. Comparison...how many years would Alabama have been "in the running" for an ANC since 1990 with a real playoff:
1991
1992
1994
1996
2005
2009

Compared to the old Bowl Alliance/Coalition & the current BS, er, BCS system:
1992
2009

It's comparisons like this one that led someone at some point in history to coin the term/phrase, 'No brainer'.

 

[Crimson14Tide]

The FCS playoffs started on Nov 27th and were done by Jan 7th. What's the big difference between that and the bowls as far as schedules?
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/stat/iaa-playoffs.htm

What's the big difference? There isn't one. People keep trying to build these false walls or "hurdles" between where we are now & a playoff. The reality is there's only three hurdles. Stupidity, the fact that there are roughly 22-42 teams too many in Div. 1, & the fact that conferences are not uniform. Although, the third one is not exactly necessary but it sure would be immensely helpful.

Money is not a hurdle, there's a ton more in a playoff than random scrimmages. (Stupidity)
"Too many games" was shot down years ago & people still try to play that card.
Attendance problems as a hurdle is laughable, utterly laughable.

Finebaum wondered aloud one day how the atmosphere at BDS would be for a first round game against the likes of Troy, C. Michigan, etc., etc. I believe he said that it wouldn't be up to par with the regular season games. I say every home game over the past 20-25 years against Tulane, ULL, Mid. Tenn. St., Houston, & the likes prove him wrong. Basically the same game, but now it's even more important.

 

[RollTideinGA]

{sigh}

What's the big difference? There isn't one. People keep trying to build these false walls or "hurdles" between where we are now & a playoff. The reality is there's only three hurdles. Stupidity, the fact that there are roughly 22-42 teams too many in Div. 1, & the fact that conferences are not uniform. Although, the third one is not exactly necessary but it sure would be immensely helpful.

If a playoff was implemented the conferences would have to be realigned to make sense. And there is a difference, one team wins it all on the field without another team being left undefeated with no shot.

Money is not a hurdle, there's a ton more in a playoff than random scrimmages. (Stupidity)

Not true, the money discussion is the sponsor tie ins with bowls and TV deals. Not as in money generated by more games. A playoff in fact would be less games.

Finebaum wondered aloud one day how the atmosphere at BDS would be for a first round game against the likes of Troy, C. Michigan, etc., etc. I believe he said that it wouldn't be up to par with the regular season games. I say every home game over the past 20-25 years against Tulane, ULL, Mid. Tenn. St., Houston, & the likes prove him wrong. Basically the same game, but now it's even more important.

Not truly a good argument to quote Finebaum, he's an idiot and just stirs up stuff without actually contributing to the discussion. Unless Troy, C Michigan, etc are having really good years they wouldn't be in the playoffs. If they are the conference champions in their conference then why not they earned the right to be there.

Did you know that in FBS last year we had 35 bowls which means 70 teams played in bowls. Some really good 6-6 records got in. :lance: In FCS they have a 20 team play off, Div II has a 24 team, and Div III has a 32 team playoff. How about this we take the Div II model and you take the champion teams from each conference/division which would account for 16 of the slots, then add in the next 8 best records for the final two spots. What does this mean? Yes some teams get left out, but hey every NFL team doesn't make the playoffs.

So last year the playoffs would have included- VT, FSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, UConn, Ohio State, UCF, SMU, Miami-Oh, Northern Ill, TCU, Oregon, South Carolina, Auburn, Florida Int, and Nevada based off conference standings only. Out of those teams only UConn, So Car, SMU, & Fl Int won less than 10 games. I'm not going to take the time to figure out the 8 best records pre-bowl. Maybe you could use your polls for that. 48 of the FBS bowl teams last year had less than 10 wins after all you only need 6 w's to get in a bowl.

People have always said the bowls could be incorporated into the playoff system. I'd rather see 24 teams have a shot at the title and possibly see a upset win by a Miami of Ohio over a big favorite than to have 3 teams undefeated after 35 bowls that involved 70 teams. Which is almost half of the FBS league.

 

[Crimson14Tide]

Yes, like I said it would be a really, really, really great idea to uniform the conferences. But it would not be absolutely necessary. But it would be a great idea. Can't imagine why they wouldn't. (Stupidity)

No, I was right to begin with. Those same sponsors/TV deals will still be there. I mean, if they understand business/math that is. Whoever sponsors the Sour Cream & Chives Bowl can still sponsor that same bowl. And Vizio can continue to sponsor the Rose Bowl/3rd/4th Round playoff game. These games should be broadcast on television. So, nothing changes with the meaningless scrimmages....and nothing changes with the BSC Bowls except that they are now referred to as playoff games instead of bowls. The only changes are we now have an ANC at the end of the season & EVERYONE involved with the exception of the fans are making more money. But I wasn't making any money in the first place, so the $0 difference in how much money I'm making will be offset by the pure joy of a true playofff with upsets....& an ANC.

I paraphrased Finebaum.....to show that he was wrong. Pretty good move, imo.
And in a playoff that includes all conference champions, Troy winning their conference would be considered a "really good" year. Especially now that it actually means something.


Anyway, a 16-team playoff is a win-win-win-win-win-win situation. There's not a single loser. Yet, with the current setup there's a lot of losers & only one winner. And it's a group of men/women wearing expensive suits instead of a group of young men wearing football uniforms.

 

[RollTideinGA]

My head hurts...

I regret ever posting in this thread.

 

[Southern Bama]

Hey "Mr Im not trying to argue!" I didn't say I had the solution. I said I want to see an end to a season with a clear champion. Not two or more undefeated teams that never played each other. And I believe if it works for all other NCAA Football divisions then why not this one. That's all I'm asking. Sorry to disappoint you but I don't have time to sit and figure out the solution to meet your standards. I'm just a fan. This isn't something that directly impacts my life and it isn't my job, but I am pretty sure I can have an opinion about it if you approve or not.

You want a realistic view of a college football playoff, look up all the other NCAA divisions. I think that would work because it does every year. I had a buddy that played for Ga Southern and won two national championships while he was there. He wears his ring and proudly will argue with anyone about how the playoff system is better than the bowls. Every major sport has a playoff except NCAA Div 1 football- what's wrong with that picture?


The FCS playoffs started on Nov 27th and were done by Jan 7th. What's the big difference between that and the bowls as far as schedules?
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/stat/iaa-playoffs.htm

:cheers: Relax.....have a cold beer....and you keep working on getting that figured out :smile:

 

[RollTideinGA]

:cheers: Relax.....have a cold beer....and you keep working on getting that figured out :smile:

No, I gave up 20 posts ago, now I'm just hitting keys. But I did have a couple of beers this weekend.