A college football playoff ... finally
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The 2014 college football season can't get here soon enough.
Since I felt I was able to write a coherent column back when Tim Tebow won his second national title, the first topic I ever wrote about was how college football needed to end the Bowl Championship Series and needed to implement a college football playoff.
All I can really say is … in the words of LeBron James after winning his first NBA championship after nine seasons last week, "It's about damn time."
Maybe having a playoff will help me enjoy college football more than I already do. I may even watch more of it because to be honest, college football is my second choice on my weekend football list of choices, as I prefer to watch the NFL.
A big reason for that is I like the fact teams in the NFL play their way to a championship in a playoff system, thus not having a computer pick the two "best" teams in the championship game. Honestly, what type of pushback would a BCS-type system (basically a computer formula) have in the NFL? It'd be ousted quicker then Hank Williams, Jr. was from singing the opening to "Monday Night Football" for his comments about the president.
The BCS has never made much sense to me, and it never will (only one postseason game really mattered for a national title), and I can't wait for its funeral at the end of the 2013 season. The BCS can honestly go away with a one-way bus pass to Death Valley and hopefully not get the funds to ever return.
As for a four-team playoff (this format will last at least 12 years) .. it works. (Sorry, fifth team on the list. More than likely, you are the fifth best team for a reason, so I don't want to hear that argument).
As stated in an ESPN.com article … "There will be three contract bowls – the Champions Bowl, which is a partnership between the Big 12 and SEC, the Rose Bowl, which has a longstanding tradition between the Big Ten and Pac 12, and a bowl to be determined for the ACC, which is likely to continue its partnership with the Orange Bowl … the three other bowls, called 'access bowls,' have yet to be determined, but the decision will force the Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl to become bidders."
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From what I understand, those aforementioned bowls will be a part of a semifinal rotation once the system takes effect. Basically, those bowls will stay (conference vs. conference) as stated above, except for the years they are one of the two semifinal games. Somewhat like the way the BCS National Title game was when it used the Rose Bowl one year as a championship game, followed by the Sugar, Fiesta or Orange Bowls before an actual "BCS National Title Game" was put in the current system.
Another part I like about the upcoming bowl system … the semifinal games will be on New Year's Eve/Day. What, you ask, a meaningful game on New Year's Day? Really, it's going to happen. When was the last time that happened … I think I was in junior high, so let's all welcome back a college football tradition. (Don't worry, all the low-tier bowls will still be played for those of us who can't get enough football.)
The first championship game will follow on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, but I think the system can work. (Better than waiting 45 days from the final regular-season/conference championship game to crown a national champion, right?)
But, and there is always a but (especially with college sports), the way teams are selected for the playoff will be by a committee (let's hope the folks in charge pick the right people), so the system won't be perfect, but giving four teams a chance to play for a national title over two is a step in the right direction, so I'll take it. (Don't worry … everyone will make their money, so that will keep the institutions happy and thriving).
Think about it, though … what if a scenario where Ohio State and Michigan are in the Big Ten title game for the 2014 season (they are in different divisions). They possibly could be ranked fourth and fifth overall in the nation (one team would have at least one loss since they play each the in the regular season finale), with the winner of the Big Ten title going to the four-team playoff. How great would that be? A game like that could make the Big Ten relevant once again, and that is a game the Big Ten desperately needs in the near future.
We also know there could be a time where the SEC could have two or three teams in the playoff (they are the best conference in the country) … so what, I say, because I want to see the best teams play, not one from each conference. I want to see the best, and if it happens the more than most of the best teams in the country are in the SEC … so be it.
The playoff format will be great for college football in the long run. I don't care much for debating every single year about the BCS (the discussion is getting old), I truly believe this playoff system can work … it will work.
This is what is best for college football, for the simple fact teams will determine participants of the national title game on the field, not with a computer. Goodbye BCS but it's time for it to be shut down.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.
Since I felt I was able to write a coherent column back when Tim Tebow won his second national title, the first topic I ever wrote about was how college football needed to end the Bowl Championship Series and needed to implement a college football playoff.
All I can really say is … in the words of LeBron James after winning his first NBA championship after nine seasons last week, "It's about damn time."
Maybe having a playoff will help me enjoy college football more than I already do. I may even watch more of it because to be honest, college football is my second choice on my weekend football list of choices, as I prefer to watch the NFL.
A big reason for that is I like the fact teams in the NFL play their way to a championship in a playoff system, thus not having a computer pick the two "best" teams in the championship game. Honestly, what type of pushback would a BCS-type system (basically a computer formula) have in the NFL? It'd be ousted quicker then Hank Williams, Jr. was from singing the opening to "Monday Night Football" for his comments about the president.
The BCS has never made much sense to me, and it never will (only one postseason game really mattered for a national title), and I can't wait for its funeral at the end of the 2013 season. The BCS can honestly go away with a one-way bus pass to Death Valley and hopefully not get the funds to ever return.
As for a four-team playoff (this format will last at least 12 years) .. it works. (Sorry, fifth team on the list. More than likely, you are the fifth best team for a reason, so I don't want to hear that argument).
As stated in an ESPN.com article … "There will be three contract bowls – the Champions Bowl, which is a partnership between the Big 12 and SEC, the Rose Bowl, which has a longstanding tradition between the Big Ten and Pac 12, and a bowl to be determined for the ACC, which is likely to continue its partnership with the Orange Bowl … the three other bowls, called 'access bowls,' have yet to be determined, but the decision will force the Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl to become bidders."
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From what I understand, those aforementioned bowls will be a part of a semifinal rotation once the system takes effect. Basically, those bowls will stay (conference vs. conference) as stated above, except for the years they are one of the two semifinal games. Somewhat like the way the BCS National Title game was when it used the Rose Bowl one year as a championship game, followed by the Sugar, Fiesta or Orange Bowls before an actual "BCS National Title Game" was put in the current system.
Another part I like about the upcoming bowl system … the semifinal games will be on New Year's Eve/Day. What, you ask, a meaningful game on New Year's Day? Really, it's going to happen. When was the last time that happened … I think I was in junior high, so let's all welcome back a college football tradition. (Don't worry, all the low-tier bowls will still be played for those of us who can't get enough football.)
The first championship game will follow on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, but I think the system can work. (Better than waiting 45 days from the final regular-season/conference championship game to crown a national champion, right?)
But, and there is always a but (especially with college sports), the way teams are selected for the playoff will be by a committee (let's hope the folks in charge pick the right people), so the system won't be perfect, but giving four teams a chance to play for a national title over two is a step in the right direction, so I'll take it. (Don't worry … everyone will make their money, so that will keep the institutions happy and thriving).
Think about it, though … what if a scenario where Ohio State and Michigan are in the Big Ten title game for the 2014 season (they are in different divisions). They possibly could be ranked fourth and fifth overall in the nation (one team would have at least one loss since they play each the in the regular season finale), with the winner of the Big Ten title going to the four-team playoff. How great would that be? A game like that could make the Big Ten relevant once again, and that is a game the Big Ten desperately needs in the near future.
We also know there could be a time where the SEC could have two or three teams in the playoff (they are the best conference in the country) … so what, I say, because I want to see the best teams play, not one from each conference. I want to see the best, and if it happens the more than most of the best teams in the country are in the SEC … so be it.
The playoff format will be great for college football in the long run. I don't care much for debating every single year about the BCS (the discussion is getting old), I truly believe this playoff system can work … it will work.
This is what is best for college football, for the simple fact teams will determine participants of the national title game on the field, not with a computer. Goodbye BCS but it's time for it to be shut down.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.