Rockne's Roundtable

I hate the BCS. I will never understand why D1 college football is the only level of NCAA football that does not have a playoff. More money could be made with a playoff than the BCS. Teams that don't qualify for the playoffs can still go to a "bowl game." The other argument for "importance of the regular season" to me does not hold water. You could design the playoff system to reward teams for having great regular seasons. I also think that bias towards certain teams or conferences give some a distinct advantage to get to the BCS Championship game. (SEC I'm talking about you). I think the current system is a complete mess. I am in favor of a playoff that would look like this...

The Polls / Computer system would still be used to keep tradition. A BCS like formula and rankings will play a role (not the sole decider) in who qualifies with the addition of a "Selection Committee" much like basketball.

16 teams-

Conf. Champs from "Power Conf." Auto qualify for the playoff. ( ACC, BIG 12, BIG EAST, BIG 10, Pac 12, SEC) Some sort of exception for Independents would need to be included. Much like the BCS "Notre Dame inclusion". Let's say and Independent team in the top 15 of the final rankings is an Auto qualifier.

Conf. Champs from Secondary Conf. ( Conf. USA, MAC, Mnt. West, WAC, SUN BELT) Auto qualify if they are in the top 15 of the final standings. If not they do not, they will not auto qualify but are eligible to be selected as an at large team.

The remaining slots will be filled by the "Selection Committee." All teams must be in the top 25 of the final rankings in order to get a bid into the playoffs. This could mean up to 10 AT LARGE teams each year.

Once the field is set they will be seeded. The Automatic Qualifiers will be seeded 1st. Followed by AT LARGE teams. (For example: this season Alabama could be seeded no higher than 8th, due to TCU winning the Mtn. West and finishing in the top 15 in final standings and would have gained an automatic berth)

Once the field is seeded the higher seed plays at home. Each week until the National Championship game which would be played on a neutral field. I can't think of a more important reason to win in the regular season than to play at home in the playoffs. It makes winning your conference very important. This seasons LSU-Alabama game would have had even more importance. The BCS just gave BAMA another shot. Under the playoff system BAMA would be forced to win games on the road in order to earn the rematch. I’m sure it would make that loss sting a bit more. Plus if you are Notre Dame and you go 10-2 and earn a home game in December, the game vs. say Florida State will look a lot different if played in the elements in South Bend instead of the beautiful weather in Florida that time of year. This would even the playing field for northern teams that always have to play bowl games under conditions more conducive to southern schools style of play. Again adding to the importance of the regular season.

Games start the week after the conf. championship games and run every week until a New Years day national championship.

The bowl system could survive around the playoff system. Much like the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl is still around today.

What do you guys think? Love it or hate it?