I would pay good money to see to any one of those games and my guess is that the majority of my fellow football fans would do the same.
Plus, it would be a much more accurate way of determining which team is the best in all of college football.
In essence, America has seen a football playoff work effectively before and college football fans are not buying this argument.
"A playoff would interfere with the student-athletes’ class schedules."
Well, I agree with you that academics should be the top priority of every college student.
However, is it fair to keep the student-athletes competing in the BCS Championship Game out of their first English 101 class of the spring semester on Jan. 8?
The football players at the other 117 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision shouldn’t be given preferential treatment just because they weren’t ranked No.1 or No.2 in the BCS poll.
An eight-team playoff bracket could easily be completed in the number of weeks it takes to get through the bowl schedule we currently have in place right now.
Besides, these guys are student-athletes and missing some class time for their respective sports is not a foreign concept to them.
"A playoff would sap interest away from the other bowl games."
Wouldn’t the BCS bowls be doing that already if this were really an issue?
Besides, if there are only a couple of games on television, people will most likely watch them.
Have you ever wondered why Monday Night Football is so popular?
I don’t think ESPN broadcasts college football on Thursday nights for their health.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that these are only games on television on that specific day.
Trust me, as a fan, I will watch the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl if it is the only football game I can get.
So, there’s no problem with having the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowls of the world during the last week of December.
We love to get our football fix in whatever way we can.
The same number of viewers will tune in, regardless of whether or not there is a playoff in college football.
As you can see, your arguments in defense of the current BCS system mean nothing to the fans because we have called your bluff.
We are tired of being robbed of the unlimited potential for greatness that the college football postseason possesses.
We will not be satisfied until you finally get it right and throw together an effective way to crown the national champion.
And don’t think that we will eventually go away and quit bothering you.
The passionate football fan base will only start grumbling louder as more and more worthy teams will never get a shot at a national championship year in and year out.
So, do us a favor. Do yourselves a favor. Do the sport of football a favor.
Get rid of the BCS. The possibilities are endless. It’s college football, remember?
Anything can happen.
Sincerely,
A Passionate College Football Fan
17 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Bob Zen 7 months ago
Joe, Well written argument for the 8 game playoff. I also would be a fan of a playoff system. Before we can convince the BCS, ESPN, the Big10/Pac10, and all the other decenter however, there are a couple of other issues to be addressed.
Your list of why they don't want it vs why we do want it isn't quite complete. There are a few other aspects that you are not taking into account. 1) Will the loss in regular season game viewing = the revenue of the playoff games? Last year, for example, I was glued to the Pitt West VA game. I have no interest in either team, but because of the effect it would have in the final BCS standings, I watched it. There were several games like that last year and this year. 2) Would a fan base be willing/able to travel 3 times in just a few weeks? While it is easy to plan a trip weeks in advance, I'm already booking my hotel for the Cap 1 bowl, it is quite another thing to book 3 trips all over the country in a week or less. There would need to be some major agreements between the airlines/hotels in a given city and the BCS that they would offer special deals for the winners in exchange for hosting the championship games.
I'm sure I've missed other issues, but those are two that I've had to debate around and though you should consider them too. Again, a good argument and I look forward to your comments.
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Joseph Morgan 7 months ago
Thanks for the feedback, Bob! I appreciate it.
1. I still believe that the regular season would be exciting with a playoff. Just like you, I watched that Pitt-WVU game last season as well and for the same reasons. However, these schools will be fighting for a playoff spot as the regular season ends each year and these games will be just as important.
The difference would be that even more games would be crucial to the national championship picture instead of only one or two. For example, BYU-Utah would have decided a playoff spot this weekend and a Florida State or Auburn could've knocked out a Florida or an Alabama.
2. As for the traveling issue, personally, I am quite confident that each game would be sold out, if not close to a sell out. The constant travel is a strain, but there are enough people who will do it, in my opinion.
Thanks again, Bob! Let me know what you think.
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Michael Oleszek 7 months ago
The sad reality of the whole "No More BCS/We Need a Playoff" argument is that its going to come down to money. How much will the schools, conferences, and television all get? The BCS is mostly televised by Fox, and soon will be ESPN. The lower bowls are mostly televised by ESPN, with some on the NFL network, and some on other channels like NBC. How would a playoff affect this? Some schools rely on their weaker teams going to a lower-tier bowl, because they all share in the bowl revenue. A playoff would cut into this.
Bob raised a good point with: "Would a fan base be willing/able to travel 3 times in just a few weeks? While it is easy to plan a trip weeks in advance, I'm already booking my hotel for the Cap 1 bowl, it is quite another thing to book 3 trips all over the country in a week or less."
This year alone, I have been fortunate enough to go to 5 Gator games. 3 in Gainesville, 2 on the road. My wallet took a serious hit this football season, and its all been worth it. But, on the other hand, it wears on you to travel 3 or 4 consecutive weeks, and come up with the money for gas, food, tickets, hotels, etc. for 3 or 4 consecutive weeks, especially in an economy that is so far gone.
There are people I know who do go to every Gator game, home and away, and the only difference between me and them is money. They have enough to live this life for 3-4 months out of the year, where I can't. Someday I will be able to, but not now.
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Joseph Morgan 7 months ago
Thanks for the comment, Michael!
You speak the truth! Money is a huge factor for both the BCS and the fans. However, despite the price of tickets and travel, I believe people would still go to the games and pack the stadiums. Besides, the economy isn't going to get any better if we don't spend our money (but wisely, I may add!) lol
I wish I could've gone to see the Gators this season, but living in VA doesn't help. :(
Thanks again!
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Michael Oleszek 7 months ago
I agree that people would still go, but it would be harder for the average fan to go.
Sorry that you couldn't see the Gators in person this year. This year was the most I've seen them in person. Starting with the Orange and Blue game, I went to the Hawaii, Miami, Tennessee, LSU, and FSU games.
Its been awesome! I could have gone to tommorows game, but I had my wisdom teeth taken out this morning.
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Michael Shibley 7 months ago
Great stuff Joeseph! I agree about all the smaller bowls. The Sun Bowl or Liberty Bowl would be just as important if there was a playoff.
Check out what I think as well:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/88332-a-college-football-playoff-system-for-dummies
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Joseph Morgan 7 months ago
Thanks, Michael! I'll have to check out your article.
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Kristian Davis 7 months ago
As I remember BYU won a national title in the past, and they come from the same conference as Utah!
In this good ole boy system of conferenc directors (a.k.a. BCS), we should at least be rewarding play on the field, and a Utah vs. Alabama match up. That is if Alabama gets past Florida.
Or, if the Crimson tide goes down, why not Utah va Boise State. Let's not forget what Boise did to the great Oklahoma!
P.S. I'm from Indiana, so I know that the little guy can rise to great heights when called upon!
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Michael Oleszek 7 months ago
If, and this is a big IF, Florida was not on probation during the 1984 season and banned from a bowl, they likely would have won the Sugar Bowl and the National Championship. Many of the ranking systems now used for the BCS ranked Florida at #1. Obviously, Florida doesn't claim this, but it is interesting.
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1984
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Snu 7 months ago
While I'm fairly neutral on the subject of BCS vs. Playoff, I do have a few problems with some of the arguments you (and others as well) have presented in this article.
First, you absolutely cannot compare the NFL to college football - especially in terms of a playoff. The difference between the professional and college football ranks is much too significant. The NFL playoff system only works because of the equal number of teams/divisions/games and the fact that talent is relatively balanced - all teams have very fair and similar recruiting resources. The NFL has 32 teams, split equally into two main divisions (NFC and AFC) and further split into 8 subdivisions (NFC & AFC North/South/East/West) with 4 teams in each subdivision. The league is set up for an 8 team playoff, that's why it works.
Division I-A college football, however, currently has 119 different teams in 11 different conferences, with the number of teams in each conference differing greatly - not to mention the 4 independent teams not in a conference. In order to have a truly fair playoff, the entire infrastructure of Division I-A football would have to be changed significantly! The BCS is not a big enough problem to warrant this kind of adjustment to the system.
Secondly, to say that at-large powers like Boise State and Utah have no chance of ever getting invited to the NC game is complete crap. This year - yea they have no chance because of how well the other major schools are doing. BUT, there is a VERY good chance that both Boise and Utah will play in one of the other BCS bowl games this year (if Florida loses to Bama, you will very likely see that Florida-Utah match-up in the Sugar Bowl). And if Utah manages to miraculously beat Florida in the Sugar Bowl, Utah would be the recipient of a HUGE $$$ payout from the BCS and a good chance of a Top 25 preseason ranking next season - both big steps to building a more successful program. More $$$, top 25 preseason rank, and national recognition is all that a mid-major team like Utah needs to improve recruiting and become a serious contender for future national titles. Don't say the BCS doesn't offer a path for smaller schools to gain prominence and compete in the major bowls. That's completely untrue.
Sure, the BCS may not be absolutely perfect, but a playoff is definitely not the answer. Making the conferences play an equal number of OOC games (with a limit of say 1 Division I-AA opponent per year) and forcing all conferences to have a conference championship at the end of the year would be a good start to making things more even across the board.
Check out this article from the NY Times about the whole BCS/Playoff argument. It presents some very insightful elements about the BCS that a lot of people tend to overlook.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/opinion/22curtis.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
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Joseph Morgan 7 months ago
Thanks for the comment, Snu! Obviously, we disagree.
Realistically, will Boise State or Utah, in today's game, ever make it to the national title game over a 1-loss BCS conference team? If that was possible, in my opinion, the blue and orange team playing Ohio State two years ago would have been Boise State, not Florida.
Granted, BYU has been to the big time and won it before, but the field was much more wide open before the creation of the BCS. It was easier for teams such as BYU and Utah to play in the national titile game at that time.
Also, I'm not denying that Utah and Boise State will make it to a BCS game. Of course they will! However, they will have no shot at a title unless there is a playoff format or if the BCS is reformed dramatically (and even that's a stretch).
I wish you good luck on Saturday, but I hope my Gators can beat your Crimson Tide! Thanks again!
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Isaac Luber 7 months ago
I love the idea, but then with an 8 team playoffs the polls will be blamed for being unfair. Let's say Oklahoma won a close game and was ranked 8th, and they are now 11-1. USC wins in a blowout over a good team and is ranked 9th, and now 11-1. USC jumps Oklahoma, causing major controversy on who should obtain that last playoff position. The polls are now considered evil, they will be the new BCS, unfair and having problems. No matter what you do, there will always be complaints and problems, and nothing will be completely fair. If it was completely fair, then there would never be arguments. However, life is unfair.
For example: Why should Florida go to the NC over Penn State? Let's see...they're both 11-1, both have had tough wins against good opponents, some on the road, some at home, and some on neutral fields. Florida was upset by Ole Miss at home, and Penn State was upset on the road at a very good Iowa team, when it was bad conditions that leveled the playing field and PSU was not supplied heaters. That loss was unfair, and having Florida's loss seemingly less important than PSU's loss according to the rankings is unfair. Why should UF be #4? Why not Penn State? There will always be controversy, and sometimes it will work out, and sometimes the best teams are left out, like this year with Penn State. We'll just have to live with it.
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Joseph Morgan 7 months ago
Thanks for the comment, Isaac! Actually, with your Penn State vs. Florida argument, you have proved my point! :)
How else will we know if UF is better than Penn State unless there's a playoff? If I were a Nittany Lion fan, I'd be screaming my head off for a playoff. Basically, the Big Ten (Eleven) suffers from the poor performances by the Buckeyes the past two seasons.
Also, regarding your first point, I believe it is much better for college football to leave #9 sitting at home instead of #3, based simply on a computer average. If a team is ranked #9, it's their problem for not taking care of business during the season.
And I think it's highly unlikely that we will esee the top 9 teams in the country with either one or zero losses again anytime soon. But hey, I've been wrong before.
Thanks again, Isaac!
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Gray Ghost 7 months ago
Great article Joseph! I think everyone is sick of the BCS. Texas got ripped - plain and simple. This was well written and presents, in my opinion, a good alternative to a system that has reeked for years. POTD.
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Joseph Morgan 7 months ago
Thanks, GG! I think a playoff is the way to go. It would greatly benefit college football! Thanks for the pick and the read!!
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Kristian Davis 7 months ago
A playoff may not be seen for a long time, and longer than most. Why, one simple factor. When humans are faced with any issue, they will inevitably choose the path of least resistence.
So, for the BCS, this means do nothing.
The second human factor is, "What's in it for me?"
So, until some plan comes together showing how the conference Presidents / Schools can increase their bottom lines, again, do Nothing. After all, it's pretty lucrsative for them right now. So, why mess up a good thing.
In these type of sports related issues, the fans, and alumns are nothing more than ants, following along being good providers to the economic system, whether by Nielsen ratings, or filled stadiums. As long as those coninue to remain strong, including the bowls, you will be hard pressed to see any change.
That is of course, until some of the big boys with big influence get screwed. Similar to Texas, but that was marginal, and probably will not generate enough inertia for now. It may only change the Big 12's rules.
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Jim Lewis 7 months ago
It is utterly rediculous to perpetuate this prresent sham of a BCS National Champion. The only people who like it is the college presidents. and the BCS committee. To say that the final exams would interfere with a playoff is also rediculous. The majority of these athletes can't carry on an inteligent conversatiuon anyway. As a matter of fact to apply the word scholorship as to their purpose of being in college is a grievous misuse of the word. It is just a business so treat it as such. I did not vote for Husain Obama, but he has used his bully pulpit to voice the opinion that the majority of knowledgable football fans have. Be realistic, it is not about the bowl systems. Before 1970 the Big 10 only participated in one bowl, The most holy Notre Dame (which deserves not special dispensation) did not go to bowls, and the national Championship was determined on regular season. When the yankees and the most holy notre dame decided they would participate in bowls, it became cool not to name the Nat. Championship after the bowls. Thusly, bowls are not necessary to determine a national champion. All that needs to be done is to set up a legitimate playoff system and the media will work around it, they always do. Money is still and all the little University presidents are still happy, bless their hearts.
Jim Lewis
Midville Georgia
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