What the College Football Playoffs Might Look Like if they Existed

College football. The only sport in America where you can win all of your games and not be given a chance at a championship. 

For years now, people having been complaining about the BCS system, which takes an uncomplicated system and makes it complex, eventually spitting out two teams which it believes are the two most qualified to play for the National Championship.

While in some seasons, the decision is obvious and the system works well, there are others where one or more teams who go undefeated or are right there with one loss get passed over and don't get there chance to prove themselves in the title game.

So why not take all the controversy out of it?

By adding a playoff system not only would it give more teams a chance, but the BCS system could be a lot more useful, determining the No. 11 and 12 teams instead of risking a mistake at 2 or 3. 

Some argue that by adding a playoff system, it would take away the weekly drama of college football. But I disagree. Teams would still be battling for a spot, conference championships would still be on the line and every week would still be just as intriguing. 

If there was a playoff system, how might it look? Let's look at my playoff system if I was in charge of things and who might be in them this season.

The Format

There are many different ways one could go about making a college football playoff system. One way, a basic eight-team single elimination tournament. Others favor increasing that number to 16, while some say we should have only a plus one and keep the viable candidates at four.

I propose a different number then any of those three: 12. Twelve NCAA Division I-A teams would qualify every season for the national championship tournament. Essentially, the top 10 percent of what College Football has to offer.

How would those teams be determined? Well, for starters, the six winners of the BCS conferences (yes, even the Big East...for now) would be admitted. The other six teams would be the top six ranked schools in the BCS. The only exception is that no more then three teams from any one conference will be permitted to participate. 

The top four ranked schools will receive first round byes, while the others will face off for a spot in the quarterfinals. The fifth seed hosts the 12th, sixth hosts the 11th, seventh hosts the 10th and the eighth hosts the ninth. The seeds are based on the BCS rankings, with the exception that seeds will be altered to ensure that two teams from the same conference do not meet in the opening round, unless it means a team ranked in the top eight loses home field. 

The quarterfinal games would consist of the four major BCS bowl games: the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl all played in their normal geographic locations. 

Then there would be two National Semifinal games and the BCS national championship game to close out the season.

What It Would Look Like If the Season Ended Today

Obviously, the season doesn't end today, and this season has barely even planned out yet. The BCS rankings aren't out, and most teams have played no more then two conference games. Nevertheless, just for fun, let's look at what the matchups would be if the season ended now using the AP poll as a guide.

Byes

1. LSU

2.Alabama

3 Oklahoma

4.Wisconsin

Opening Round

5. Boise State vs. 12. West Virginia

6. Oklahoma State vs. 11. Michigan

7. Stanford vs. 10. Arkansas

8. Clemson vs. 9. Oregon

What It Might Look Like at the End of the Season

To add to this. Let's now look at what this system might look like (if it was real) at the end of the college football year. Who would get in and who would be matched up with who? Let's start with the four teams receiving a bye.

1. Alabama

Who you think will be the No. 1 team at the end of the year may very well determine who you think will walk out the winner between the current No. 1 and No. 2 teams LSU and Alabama on Nov. 5.

The SEC has won five consecutive National Championships, and it looks as though they might very well make it a sixth as both of these teams look primed for a title.

I'll keep it brief, but I like the Tide in that contest because of their strong running game, and in the end, I just trust Nick more then Les in the Big game.

2. Oklahoma

If the SEC isn't going to win a sixth national title, the preseason No. 1 team in the country, the Oklahoma Sooners, might be the best bet to dethrone them.

For some reason, Oklahoma has dropped to No. 3 in the polls despite being undefeated and hammering 11th ranked Texas 55-17 last Saturday.

The Sooners have an explosive offense, and although they have a couple tough games down the road, specifically versus the sixth ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, I don't see Oklahoma losing in the regular season at any point this year.

3. Wisconsin

Call it a hunch, but I just have a feeling someone from a major conference (let alone Boise State) is going to get screwed out of a National Title opportunity this season.

With several really good teams still undefeated, there are several options for that team that might be No. 3 at the end of the year. My pick? The Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin lost just once before the Rose Bowl last year, and now with Russell Wilson at QB, the Badgers may very well run through the Big 10. 

Already having beat Nebraska honestly, which team remaining on their schedule could actually pull off an upset against Wisconsin this season? I'm not seeing one. They might have a rematch versus the Cornhuskers in the inaugural Big 10 title game, but if they can get past that, they could very well stay unbeaten. 

4. LSU

One debate that might come if this playoff system was in place could be who should receive the last bye. LSU having, in this scenario, one loss to the No. 1 team Alabama? Or an unbeaten Boise State team.

But the BCS favors the one loss Tigers at No. 4. LSU has looked dominant up to this point in the season, already having beaten Oregon, Florida and West Virginia. Look for them to be a major player in this playoff system. 

5. Boise State vs. 12. Houston

Our first first round matchup features the undefeated Broncos of Boise State finally getting their national championship opportunity. There first opponent is the undefeated Houston Cougars, led by Case Keenum, who barely sneak in at the No. 12 spot.

In a shootout, Keenum keeps it interesting in the first half, But Kellen Moore and the Broncos prove too much in the end and advance.

Boise State 42, Houston 27

6. Stanford vs. 11. West Virginia

First round matchup No. 2 features Pac 10 Champions and one-loss Stanford facing off against the the Big East Champion West Virginia Mountaineers. 

Andrew Luck shows why he is the right pick for the Heisman Trophy as he puts on a clinic at home routing West Virginia and putting his Cardinal into the Quarterfinals.

Stanford 34 West Virginia 14

7. Arkansas vs. 10. Michigan

In this first round matchup, we see the third SEC team, the Arkansas Razorbacks, who come in with two losses coming against two top four teams facing off against the two loss Michigan Wolverines.

I know that Michigan is probably the team I'll take the most heat for including in this playoffs. But Michigan is just as likely as Michigan State or Nebraska to win the Legends division. They should be favored against Ohio State, Iowa and Purdue so if they can simply go 2-1 against Illinois, Nebraska and Michigan State, they'll win the division.

Then, even if they lose to Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game, they still would end up with just two losses. Maybe it's wishful thinking from a Wolverine fan, but I don't think it's that far fetched.

Anyway, although Michigan gets in, the Razorbacks defense swallows up Denard Robinson and eliminates them in the opening round.

Arkansas 31, Michigan 21

8. Oklahoma State vs. 9. Clemson

Our final first round game could be perhaps the most entertaining of the whole bunch. 

It pits Oklahoma State 10-2 versus the ACC Champions the Clemson Tigers, also with two losses.

Both of these teams can flat out score. While the Cowboys play too many tough teams to finish with less then two losses, they still can play with anyone in the country. If you love offense, watch their game versus Baylor on Oct. 29. It could literally end up in the 50's. Clemson seems like the best of the bunch in the ACC, but they will have tough competition from Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech this season.

In the game, Brandon Weeden puts up enough points to get past the Tajh Boyd and the Tigers, but not without a scare first.

Oklahoma State 38, Clemson 35

Orange Bowl: 1. Alabama vs. 8. Oklahoma State

Now we kick off the quarterfinalsm as top seed Alabama faces off against Oklahoma State in this year's Orange Bowl.

This matchup is an ultimate battle between a high powered offense and a dynamic defense. But the Tide are too much too handle in the end for the Cowboys as Trent Richardson runs wild against there defense.

Alabama 27 Oklahoma State 20

Fiesta Bowl: 2. Oklahoma vs. 7. Arkansas

In the Fiesta Bowl this season, undefeated Oklahoma faces off against Arkansas.

I really like the Razorbacks after what I saw from the second half last week against A&M, but I just can't go against Oklahoma in this one after the 55-17 beatdown.

Oklahoma 24, Arkansas 20

Rose Bowl: 3. Wisconsin vs. 6. Stanford

In the Rose Bowl, Big 10 Champions the Wisconsin Badgers face off against Heisman Winner Andrew Luck and the Pac-12 Champs Stanford.

We might be getting this game anyway this season, and I for one, can't wait. These two teams are highly underrated in terms of media coverage because they both could really compete for a national title with any team this year.

This was one of the hardest games for me to pick, as Wilson and Luck will certainly put on a show to remember. But in the end, Luck is special. Plain and simple. And I see his team coming out with the win.

Stanford 34 Wisconsin 27

Fiesta Bowl: 4. LSU vs. 5. Boise State

In the final quarterfinal game, LSU faces off against undefeated Boise State, one of three remaining in college football.

This matchup would be so highly anticipated, as Boise would get a huge opportunity to show that they are national title contenders and would still be one if they played in a league such as the SEC.

One of this years, Boise State will play in the National Championship game...but not this year. LSU is too talented across the board for the Broncos.

LSU 28 Boise State 13 

National Semifinal: 1. Alabama vs. 4. LSU

The rematch.

LSU finally gets their chance at revenge against Alabama in the National Semifinals. The two best SEC teams would battle it out for a chance to get into the BCS Title Game. 

If Alabama did it once, there's no reason why they wouldn't do it again, but this time, they end the Tigers' season.

Alabama 17 LSU 16

National Semifinal: 2. Oklahoma vs. 6. Stanford

In the other national semifnal, Stanford takes on the unbeaten Oklahoma Sooners, looking for their second straight upset and a ticket into the BCS Title game.

While defense is the specialty of the other two semifinalists, in this one, Oklahoma would be forced to try and outscore the dynamic Cardinal offense.

I may be going out on a limb here, but I really like Stanford. Although I think the Pac-12 is too good to have them going undefeated in the regular season. I'm going with Luck and the boys to pull off a second straight upset and shock the Sooners.

Stanford 30 Oklahoma 24

BCS National Championship Game: 1. Alabama vs. 6. Stanford

Finally, the big one.

The Alabama Crimson Tide versus the Stanford Cardinal for the National Championship.

In this game, Alabama's defense would bend but not break against Luck, and Bama's running game and stout defense would make enough plays to take it in one of the more memorable BCS Title games in recent memory.

Alabama 23 Stanford 20

Conclusion

So there you have it. I like the Alabama Crimson Tide to win theit second National Title in three seasons. But that's just my own humble opinion.

The fact is, there are dozens of teams who would have an opportunity to play their way into the BCS National Championship game, instead of just three or four.

Opinions are not the point here. The point is the playoff system. How awesome would those match ups be for College Football fans? 

No one wants another 2004 Auburn. But if the system doesn't change soon? That's exactly what we're gonna get.