BCS Standings: It's Time for a Playoff

This year alone could be the deciding factor in implementing a playoff system.

So many people haven't been given a chance to lose to LSU, and the fans apparently want to see them beat someone from every conference.

After this weekend, the No. 2 and No. 3 spots should be occupied by Alabama and Oregon sitting right behind LSU, though in what order remains to be seen. The issue for LSU is that they have already beaten these two teams. Should they have to beat them again for the trophy?

The quick answer is, "Yes." The long answer is that the BCS exists to create a championship game featuring the teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2. That will be, barring any more upsets, LSU and either 'Bama or Oregon.

A major (legitimate) complaint is that there are many other one-loss teams that deserve a shot at LSU, considering 'Bama and Oregon already got their shot.

Oregon lost on neutral field by 13, and 'Bama lost at home by three in overtime. (Who thinks that either could win on a "neutral" field in New Orleans?)

If we have a 16-team playoff, then rematches will happen in the postseason, and no one will have an issue with it. Doesn't that already happen in NCAA basketball? All teams in the top 16 will get into the same tournament, just like the "Big Dance" for basketball.

No one argues against a No. 8 team that has "no business" winning the tournament at least playing in the championship game. They just say, "Wow! Good job, Butler!"

It's a very simple plan, with very simple execution. It would only extend the college football season by two to three weeks, still ending it in January. Furthermore, the New Year's Day bowls would still exist, and bowls that are normally played in competing time slots would get higher TV ratings due to the fact that 15 of the bowls would be moved into tournament slots, freeing up time in the New Year's Day slots.

Fewer bowls per day equals more viewers per bowl. More viewers per bowl equals more money per bowl. More money is good, right? That's the best argument I've seen so far, and it disappears with my system. Playoffs will bring more fans to the game, as well. 

Lastly, with the top 16 teams getting into a playoff, the "automatic qualifier" tag goes away. Everyone has a fair shot, because the BCS and voters all factor strength of schedule into the equation. Now, nobody needs to take anybody to court anymore. Non-AQ conference schools get a fair shot at the title, and No. 4 Oklahoma doesn't get left out of the party we've been having in the top three. (Taking turns making LSU look GOOD!)