BCS vs. Playoffs
I'm posting in response to Eric's last comment in his post below where he said that he's not defending the BCS, but it at least "led to some stellar matchups...which is what everyone wants". While I know he's not defending the BCS (because if he did, I would have to catch the next flight to Ohio and punch him in the face), I do have to take a stance against the whole "stellar matchups" argument. Here I go...
Yes, the BCS has led to some great games, but if there were an 8 team playoff throughout December (instead of this gigantic 4 week break before the bowl games) then you would have a smorgasbord of great matchups. Just feast your eyes on the following possible playoff scenario with the top 8 BCS teams:
First round - OSU vs. Boise St, Florida vs. Wisconsin, Michigan vs. Louisville, LSU vs. USC
Second round - OSU vs. USC, Florida vs. Michigan
Final round - any possibility would be a "stellar matchup", with some extremely stellar matchups.
So, if this playoff took place, and the best teams advanced, you would solve the question of "who is better between Florida and Michigan", and USC would take on OSU anyway, which a lot of people think would be the best matchup. This also creates, in my eyes, four "Monster Matchups", which everyone will want to see. These four would be USC/LSU, OSU/USC, Fla/Mich, and the title game. What football fan would not drool all over their oatmeal to watch those games? (and yes, I just happen to be eating oatmeal right now)
One counter argument Eric may be thinking right now is: "but Frank, what if Boise St. beats Ohio St. and these stellar matchups don't ever happen?"
You might think that's a good point Eric, but think again, hot shot. If that happened, it would prove that Ohio State would not be deserving of a national title in the same way that the BCS today thinks USC is not deserving of a national title by losing to the much crappier UCLA. If Ohio State is a great team, they will win that game, just like Michigan and Florida will. Also, you would much rather see Michigan lose to Louisville in the first round than having a "stellar matchup". You wouldn't give a flying flapjack who you beat for a national title.
To the average fan that has no team in the playoffs, such as me, would I rather see a OSU/Mich final than OSU/Louisville? Probably. But I'd also love to see Louisville upset Michigan AND OSU for a national title. It would be the cinderella story of the year, and a cinderella story is what college football is missing without a playoff. When George Mason pulled off it's Final Four run and beat UConn, did anyone think that they were actually better than UConn? No, but it was awesome to watch and I will remember that game probably for the rest of my life.
With that said, a playoff would more than likely still create more "stellar matchups" than the current BCS system. And if it doesn't, it will still provide drama. Too bad the only way it will happen is if the university presidents agree to change. I hope they're all reading this right now.
Yes, the BCS has led to some great games, but if there were an 8 team playoff throughout December (instead of this gigantic 4 week break before the bowl games) then you would have a smorgasbord of great matchups. Just feast your eyes on the following possible playoff scenario with the top 8 BCS teams:
First round - OSU vs. Boise St, Florida vs. Wisconsin, Michigan vs. Louisville, LSU vs. USC
Second round - OSU vs. USC, Florida vs. Michigan
Final round - any possibility would be a "stellar matchup", with some extremely stellar matchups.
So, if this playoff took place, and the best teams advanced, you would solve the question of "who is better between Florida and Michigan", and USC would take on OSU anyway, which a lot of people think would be the best matchup. This also creates, in my eyes, four "Monster Matchups", which everyone will want to see. These four would be USC/LSU, OSU/USC, Fla/Mich, and the title game. What football fan would not drool all over their oatmeal to watch those games? (and yes, I just happen to be eating oatmeal right now)
One counter argument Eric may be thinking right now is: "but Frank, what if Boise St. beats Ohio St. and these stellar matchups don't ever happen?"
You might think that's a good point Eric, but think again, hot shot. If that happened, it would prove that Ohio State would not be deserving of a national title in the same way that the BCS today thinks USC is not deserving of a national title by losing to the much crappier UCLA. If Ohio State is a great team, they will win that game, just like Michigan and Florida will. Also, you would much rather see Michigan lose to Louisville in the first round than having a "stellar matchup". You wouldn't give a flying flapjack who you beat for a national title.
To the average fan that has no team in the playoffs, such as me, would I rather see a OSU/Mich final than OSU/Louisville? Probably. But I'd also love to see Louisville upset Michigan AND OSU for a national title. It would be the cinderella story of the year, and a cinderella story is what college football is missing without a playoff. When George Mason pulled off it's Final Four run and beat UConn, did anyone think that they were actually better than UConn? No, but it was awesome to watch and I will remember that game probably for the rest of my life.
With that said, a playoff would more than likely still create more "stellar matchups" than the current BCS system. And if it doesn't, it will still provide drama. Too bad the only way it will happen is if the university presidents agree to change. I hope they're all reading this right now.
posted by skretch at 11:15 AM
2 comments
