The BCS Is Ruining The College Football Regular Season, Not Protecting It

Tuesday on the Dan Patrick Show, BCS Director Bill Hancock defended the current system, because a playoff would hurt the regular season and the bowl games.  So, is that true?

Let's just say the playoff involved the top eight teams in the final BCS poll.  The first round is played at the home stadium of the higher seed the week after the conference championships, the second round is played at BCS bowl games and the BCS Championship Game is played the week after that. The rest of the bowl games stay as they are.

Would we be more or less interested? Let's take a look at the Top 10 games for the rest of the regular season and examine whether these games would be more or less intriguing if we had an eight-team playoff. 

10) Boise State vs. Nevada (November 26th)

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Linebacker Billy Derome #25 of the Boise State Broncos leads his team onto the field before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty I

What's At Stake Under BCS

An undefeated season and keeping alive very small hopes of getting into the National Championship Game.  However, a win doesn't even guarantee any BCS bowl. 

What's At Stake Under Playoff

A win for Boise would guarantee a spot in the playoffs, thus an actual chance to compete for a championship. A loss would probably knock them out of a playoff.  If they were to still squeak in, it would guarantee no playoff game on the Smurf Turf. 

Advantage

Playoff

9) TCU vs. New Mexico (November 27th)

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs passes the ball against the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

What's At Stake Under BCS

Same as Boise State, an undefeated season and a last chance to impress the voters (although whether or not you are sold on TCU, it’s highly doubtful this game will change that opinion).

What's At Stake Under Playoff

Again same as Boise State, a win and TCU is in the playoffs with a chance to prove they belong.  With a loss, it is very unlikely that TCU makes the playoff.

Advantage

Playoff, since it's virtually an elimination game either way. However, with a playoff you guarantee at least a chance to move on.

8) ACC Championship Game (December 4th)

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Marcus Davis #7 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammate Jarrett Boykin #81 against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Chapel Hill,

What's At Stake Under BCS

Trip to the Orange Bowl

What's At Stake Under Playoff

Same.  Plus for Virginia Tech, if they win out in the regular season and win the Championship, they would have a very good chance at getting into the playoffs after a horrible start to the season.

Advantage

Playoff

7) Ohio State vs. Iowa (November 20th)

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes completes a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

What's At stake Under BCS

For Iowa, nothing. For Ohio State, very little.  Even though they could still tie for the Big Ten Championship, they have very little chance of going to Rose Bowl, which is most likely going to Michigan State or Wisconsin.

What's At Stake Under Playoff

For Ohio State, a win puts the Buckeyes in very good shape to make the playoffs.  For the Hawkeyes, they would have had the same stakes as Ohio State if they beat Northwestern, which would have made the stakes on that game a lot higher than they were.

Advantage

Playoff

6) LSU vs. Arkansas (November 27th)

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks avoids a tackle by Kelvin Sheppard #11 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Grayt

What's At Stake Under BCS

For LSU, keeping its small chance of getting into a National Championship game alive. For Arkansas, nothing.  

What's At Stake Under Playoff

For LSU, a playoff spot. For Arkansas, a win puts it in contention for a playoff spot.

Advantage

Playoff

5) Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State (November 27th)

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners in action against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Imag

What's At Stake Under BCS

A chance to meet Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship Game.

What's At Stake Under Playoff

Same as BCS, plus keeping alive a playoff spot. 

Advantage

Playoff

4) Big 12 Championship Game (December 4th)

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 13: Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers hands the ball to Rex Burkhead #22 during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Kansas 20-3. (Photo by Er

What's At Stake Under BCS

A trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

What's At Stake Under Playoff

For Nebraska, Oklahoma or Oklahoma State, a win would most likely give them a playoff spot.

Advantage

Playoff

3) SEC Championship Game: Auburn Vs. South Carolina

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Dee Ford #95 of the Auburn Tigers reacts after a defensive stop against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

What’s At Stake Under BCS

For Auburn, the National Championship Game (if they beat Alabama). For South Carolina, a trip to the Sugar Bowl.

What’s At Stake Under Playoff

For Auburn, a playoff spot.

Advantage

BCS, unless Alabama beats Auburn the previous week.  In that case, playoff, because Auburn's chances of getting into a playoff with a bounce back win would almost be certain. The chances would be very slim of still getting into the Championship Game under the BCS. 

2) Oregon Vs. Arizona (Nov. 26th) / Oregon State (Dec. 4th)

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 13: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

What’s At Stake Under BCS

If Oregon wins both, Ducks are in National Championship Game.

What’s At Stake Under Playoff

Oregon wins both, the Ducks are into the playoff. They probably could even lose one of them and still get in, although a loss would drop their seed and probably lose a home game.

Advantage

BCS

1) Auburn Vs. Alabama (November 26th)

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers watches the jumbotron against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

What’s At Stake Under BCS

For Alabama, nothing. For Auburn, one win closer to the National Championship Game.

What’s At Stake Under Playoff

For Alabama, a win could get it into the playoffs.  For Auburn, similar to Oregon, losing would probably only cost it a home game, as long as it bounces back in the SEC Championship.

Advantage

Push. For Auburn this game is more important under the BCS, but a playoff would make the game much more meaningful to Alabama.

Advantage: Playoffs

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal waves to the Stanford cheering section after the game with the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona.The Cardinal won 17-13. (P

Additional Advantages for Playoffs

Michigan State, Stanford and Wisconsin would have a chance to get a playoff spot.  Although under the current system, all of them are basically eliminated from the Championship.  Under the BCS, the only games that are more interesting are ones involving Oregon and Auburn.  Under a playoff, at least an additional 13 teams would still be alive at this point, making ALL their games much more important than they are currently.

On the Dan Patrick Show, Bill Hancock compared the popularity of the college football regular season to the college basketball regular season to argue why the BCS system is better.  Mr. Hancock, with all due respect, the college basketball regular season is not interesting because 68 teams make it. 

Basically if you are in a major conference, a .500 conference year gets you in.  If you are in a weak conference, you know you have to win the tournament at the end of the season.  That’s not comparable to an eight-team playoff, where every game might not be the end of the season but would still very important.