BCS Rankings: Predictions for What an 8-Team Playoff Would Look Like

Many people find the BCS system of crowning a national champion ridiculous, especially this year when it looks like LSU and Alabama are headed for another collision course in the national championship game.

Some think that an eight-team playoff is the solution to college football’s postseason “problem.”

Here is what that would look like for the 2011 season.

No. 4 Virginia Tech vs. No. 5 Stanford

The Hokies move ahead of Stanford after beating Clemson for the ACC championship.

Stanford is the first at-large bid to the playoff because it is ranked higher than Oregon despite the Ducks winning the Pac-12 championship and beating the Cardinal already this season.

This rematch of last year’s Orange Bowl is something Virginia Tech would certainly welcome after getting blown out in the second half 40-12.

No. 3 Oklahoma State vs. No. 6 Houston

Houston is the other at-large team to make it in after beating Southern Miss for the Conference USA title.

Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma and wins the Big 12 outright.

This offensive explosion would be a fan’s delight; these teams would be projected to score an incredible 101 points if they held their scoring average.

Who wouldn’t want to watch that?

No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 7 Oregon

One of the best offenses in the country versus the best defensive team.

Oregon lost to LSU to open the season but had a lot of costly fumbles, which cost them the game. And the Tide nearly beat Alabama as well.

This game has the potential to be really close, with the Ducks going for the third time against an elite SEC team.

No. 1 LSU vs. No. 8 West Virginia

These two teams already played, but at least it wouldn’t be for the national championship.

On a neutral field, this game would not be as close as the first, but it would get a lot uglier if the Tigers had to play Louisville or Cincinnati in this game.

If you’re of the mindset that the playoff should be with just the top-rated teams, LSU would face Boise State.

That would definitely be a game worth watching.

The Broncos have been dying to get a shot at the national championship against a truly elite team.