Well, why not cut down the regular season, cut out "out of conference" games. have higher seeds play playoff games at home, and do it regionally. Then when you get down to 8, bring the big bowl games in.
Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. Once the big shots see the $$$ roll in, well, suddenly,.. tradition won't be so important. http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/dollars/post/_/id/609/college-football-playoff-a-big-moneymaker "Economists and television consultants value a playoff system around $600 million to $1.5 billion per year, depending on the number of teams included. That’s a major increase from the more than $125 million per year the BCS currently receives annually from its contract with ESPN for the national championship, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The Rose Bowl’s contract with ABC generates another $30 million per year."
This confirms what I've thought for years, that a playoff would be a much bigger moneymaker than the BCS system. The question is who makes the money, and there are a lot of entrenched interests in the BCS bowls whose gravy train would be derailed by a playoff. But the dismal ratings for the NCG and the backlash over the rematch indicate that fan opposition has reached critical mass. And the other conferences are desperate to loosen the stranglehold the SEC has had on the NC. So there may finally be a convergence of interests to topple the BCS.
I'm just happy this discussion is finally happening. A major step forward no matter what system they put in place to decide the top 4. Maybe someday we can shove it out to 8 or 12.
Or not "Football Bowl Subdivision conference commissioners, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick and other college football officials Thursday agreed to eliminate eight-team and 16-team playoff proposals to determine the sport's future national champions,"
Okay, so they say they'll eliminate it. For now. The foot is in the door. And even if it doesn't precede the rest of the body, I'm happy with 4 teams.
Sounds to me like they're trying to figure out a way to appease to the masses AND keep the river of dirty money flowing at the same time.
It won't stay at four. The gradual expansion of the basketball tournament from 32 to 68 teams didn't happen because the NCAA thought it was a more fair way to determine a champion. It happened because they saw the potential for a TV ratings and financial bonanza. Seriously....the +1 games that just got added....do you think one of those games will ever produce a national champion? Give the public a 4-game football playoff, and they'll expand from there soon enough.
I would prefer 8 teams, but that is no secret. I'll take 4 and wait till something weird and unusual happens again.
