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Let’s all pretend for a moment, that the big wigs in college football had a brain.
Let’s pretend that they realized that the BCS system was BS and that a playoff system would not only be the healthiest thing for the sport, but by far the most enjoyable process for the fan (yes, we’re pretending that they actually care about the fan).
Let’s pretend that the 2009 college football season will be decided by an eight-team playoff. The top eight teams in the BCS rankings get into the playoff.
As of today, here’s how that playoff would look:
No. 1 Florida vs. No. 8 Oregon
This would be an intriguing match-up between the defending champs and the Pac-10 wunderkinds. Oregon would give the Gators a game, but I’ll take Florida by a touchdown.
No.2 Texas vs. No. 7 Boise State
It wasn’t that long ago that Boise State shocked another Big 12 powerhouse in a big bowl game, but this Texas team is better than that Oklahoma team. The Longhorns would move on to the semis.
No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 6 TCU
Uh-oh, Tide fans. Alabama would face another Mountain West team just a year after losing to Utah in the Sugar Bowl. The Horned Frogs dominant defense could keep up with Bama’s. I’ll take TCU in the upset.
No. 4 Iowa vs. No. 5 Cincinnati
How great of a game would this be? The two teams no one thinks belong in the BCS discussion facing off in the first round. Cincinnati’s big-play ability to build a big lead and even the miracle working Hawkeyes couldn’t dig out of this hole.
Semi-Finals:
No. 1 Florida vs. No. 5 Cincinnati
Tebow and Co. cruise to the BCS title game.
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 6 TCU
Again, I think the Horned Frogs would give the Longhorns all they could handle, but Texas has more weapons on offense than does TCU.
BCS Title Game:
No. 1 Florida vs. No.2 Texas
Sure, this is probably the title game we’ll get in the current system anyway, but how great would it be to know that these teams have truly shown they deserve to play in this game? By the way, I’ll take Florida to win its second straight title.
How great would it be to see teams like Boise State and TCU get to prove themselves against the big dogs?
How fun would it be to see how “for real” teams like Iowa and Cincinnati really are?
A playoff system like this would not only be thrilling to watch, but would make an incredible amount of sense.
Probably far too much sense, unfortunately, for college football to ever adapt.
And so, we return to reality where the BCS disaster of 2009 inches closer with what could be a wild week 10.
Five games you can’t miss this weekend
5. Navy at No. 22 Notre Dame (Sat. 2:30 EST, NBC)
Notre Dame continues its high-wire act this season. The Irish have been good, bad and then great this season, culminating in last week’s 40-14 demolition of Washington State. For the Irish to qualify for a big time bowl, they basically need to win all their remaining games.
Navy always presents a test for their opponents. Two years ago, the Midshipmen left South Bend with a triple-overtime victory. The Irish have to contain the nation’s third-best rushing team.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Navy 24
4. No. 24 Oklahoma at Nebraska (Sat. 8:00 EST, ABC)
Nebraska has been one of the hardest teams to figure out this season. They’ve looked extremely impressive at Virginia Tech and at Missouri, and extremely awful against Texas Tech and Iowa State. This game will serve as a bell weather for where the Huskers’ season ends up. Win it, and a Big 12 North title is still a realistic possibility. Lose and Husker fans have to start wondering if their team is still a year or two away.
Prediction: Oklahoma 34, Nebraska 28
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