BCS Standings 2011: How an 8-Team Playoff Could Work Right Now

Every year we have the debate of whether or not a playoff system would work over the current BCS format. While the BCS system generally gives us the top two teams facing off for the title, everyone wants to see things play out on the field.

The complaints have always been: too much football for the student-athlete, not enough classroom time, what about the current bowl format, etc.

Those complaints can all be dealt with, but this is looking at on-the-field answers as to why an eight-team playoff system would work this season.

First, there is the timing. There is about a month gap between the regular-season finale (Army-Navy game on December 10) and the kickoff of the BCS. That's a solid four weeks of playoff football that could be played and the season wouldn't be extended a day.

In between, all the other bowl games could be played, which would mean one exciting month of winter football for the fans.

Secondly, there is the old complaint about the BCS that someone is going to be left out of the action. Unless something crazy happens, either LSU or Alabama will likely not be given the opportunity to compete for a national championship. Both schools clearly deserve the opportunity.

Not a fan of the SEC? Well then take a look at the list of teams that have the chance to finish the season unbeaten: either LSU or Alabama, either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State, Stanford, Clemson, Boise State and Wisconsin.

Certainly things will happen along the way to trim that field down, but one of these years it won't, and there will be a slew of teams left out who deserve to be playing for the national title.

It's much less of an argument for the No. 9 team in the BCS standings to argue being left out than it is for the No. 3 or 4 team in the BCS.

A playoff at the end of the day also affords a team like Oregon, who lost during the season's first week to a playoff type team in LSU, to have something to play for at the end of the day.

Add it all up and the timing works very well for an eight-team playoff this year. I understand the argument that every week of the regular season is a playoff week in the current BCS format, but that just doesn't work anymore.

Here's how a projected eight-team playoff might start out. Keep in mind we are only in Week 6 of the season and these are just projected rankings.

Round 1 would look like this: No.1 Alabama vs. No. 8 Wisconsin; No. 2 LSU vs. No. 7 Stanford; No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 6 Clemson; No. 4 Boise State vs. No. 5 Oklahoma State.

That works for me. Let the games begin, I say.

I've tried to defend the BCS in the past, but this year especially, there are way too many good football teams that won't get to play for a championship.

Get rid of the computers and let the trophy be won in between the lines.

While this eight-team playoff has no chance at all of happening this season, this year clearly illustrates the need for it.