BCS or Playoffs: The Guys Who Actually Play the Games Weigh in

An interesting article/poll was put together by ESPN just the other day that included three tough questions for current FBS football players.  These players come from both BCS and non-BCS schools.

Here is a link to that article.  

In the poll, ESPN queried a total of 135 FBS football players. Seventy-two were from BCS conferences and 63 were from non-BCS conferences.

Amongst the questions asked were three very intriguing queries about the BCS and bowl games.

Here are the questions:

1. Do you want a playoff?
2. Would you rather have an FCS-style, 16-team playoff (no bowls) or the current system?
3. Would you rather have a college football career with three bowl trips or one playoff trip?

And here are the answers from the BCS school members:

1. Yes - 61.1%, No - 31.9%
2. FCS - 29.2%, Current System - 71.8%
3. Three Bowls - 73.6%, One Playoff - 26.4%

Interesting stuff, right?  Especially coming from the guys who actually play the games in the "major" conferences.

But, you say, what about the non-BCS schools?  I think you'll be very surprised.

Here are the answers from the non-BCS school members: 

1. Yes - 63.5%, No - 36.5%
2. FCS - 30.2%, Current System - 69.8%
3. Three Bowls - 81.0%, One Playoff - 19.0%

Hmm...

One would think the non-BCS members would be absolutely pining for a playoff system.  However, when push came to shove, the non-BCS members voted towards wanting three bowl games rather than one playoff season more so than a BCS school member.

It is also interesting to see that the numbers for "a" playoff, let alone any playoff, aren't all that far off from their BCS team member brethren.

And this is coming straight from the horse's mouth, from the actual players who play the games.

While I realize that the second question brings in the factor of no teams other than the 16 teams in the playoff, it looks very likely that the players would favor a playoff if it were in a four or eight team scenario.

Over the past decade, we have heard the cries of the general public, from the college football fanatic all the way up to the President. We now have an actual voice from the guys who actually strap it on every given Saturday.  And while they like the thought of a playoff, they definitely don't want to see the traditional bowl system go away either.

What say you, college football fan?