If your like me and enjoy college football and want to preserve the pageantry and traditions of the fall classic then your probably in agreement that you prefer the good ole' bowl game and all the quirks of the BCS than some newly created playoff system. Well, I finally found a piece over at National Review Online by John Tamney that pretty much surmises the reason why I feel that the introduction why the playoff system in Division IA college football is a very bad idea. Here's a look at Tamney's great argument:
Saraceno described as "“perfect"” the Indianapolis Colts'’ first loss of the season, which occurred on December 18. Already in possession of home-field advantage throughout the postseason, the Colts could now coast though the season'’s final three games minus the added pressure of completing an undefeated campaign. Just as there were no consequences when the New England Patriots lost in late-season to the hapless Miami Dolphins in 2004, the Colts'’ loss to the San Diego Chargers was meaningless in light of the NFL'’s postseason structure.Well done. I'd say that more bowl seasons like the one we just concluded is far more welcomed that sub-par playoffs.
Indeed, for all of the excitement they bring, the playoffs mean that NFL teams don'’t have to always be perfect— and it'’s the fans who suffer. Each December, NFL fans frequently endure meaningless games played by the league'’s best teams, while the worst teams seemingly tank games with better draft positions in mind. (You may have heard of the "“Reggie-Bowl"” in recent weeks.)
Conversely, in college football'’s system of rankings and bowls, teams must strive for perfection every single week. There is nothing "“perfect"” about a loss in college football, because a loss can mean the difference between a January bowl in Miami in prime time or a December date in El Paso.
Importantly, the existence of bowls in Detroit, Boise, and Memphis means that college teams not playing for number one still have something to play for. Far from diluting the regular college-football season, the 56 bowl spots mean that all Division I teams are playing for recruits and future rankings right through December. The recent bowl wins by Nebraska, Oklahoma, and LSU over Michigan, Oregon, and Miami respectively gives each a momentum boost going into 2006. Under an eight-team playoff, all three would have seen their seasons end in December.
Returning to Indianapolis'’ December 18 loss, Saraceno correctly deduced that with a perfect record no longer possible, the Colts could "“rest their starters as soon as feasible and gear up for the playoffs." Sadly, what Saraceno suggested occurs all too often within a system that does not demand perfection on a weekly basis. Fans are once again the losers as evidenced by all the playing time Bradlee Van Pelt, Matt Cassel, and Jim Sorgi received last weekend in place of Jake Plummer, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning.
College football'’s incentive structure is very different, and with every game a "must-win," the best players are always on the field until a game'’s outcome is no longer in doubt.
3 comments:
I'm gonna have to disagree and would love to see a playoff system in college, but not like the NFL model.
First, I agree that a college football season is more important than the NFL and they have to strive for perfection. What what's different is that college teams don't play in the same conferences! NFL teams play a combination of teams based on their records from the previous year while college teams play within their conferences. Who is to say that a perfect 11-0 squad from 'weak conf. USA' is better than a one-loss team from 'Big XXX conf'? You can't judge it! Example from last year: Do I believe that Utah who finished a perfect 11-0 is better than a 2-loss UGA squad? I would've put money on it considering the conference and the teams they played during the year, but without a playoff system, Utah gets the benefit of the doubt.
But the even better argument is AU from last year. They DID achieve perfection but was left out of the Championship game. What's their consolation? If there was a playoff, at least they could've proved it on the field.
I'm not arguing for an NFL-style playoff. Sixteen teams are too many for college FB. I would propose taking the top 8 teams (based off of BCS rankings) and have a playoff. An eight-team playoff wouldn't take long (destroying College prez's argument) and still would keep the bowl system intact. Rotate the top bowls each year just as they do now during the playoffs.
Don't say, "Well, then you'd have an argument about who is #8 or #9!" If a team is arguing about that, then they should've followed your words and strived for a 'perfect season.'
College FB lucked out this year with the only two unbeaten teams being the #1 and #2 ranked BCS squads. Rarely has this system worked out and after every year, it's rules are changed.
There is a way for the NCAA to implement a playoff system, keep the bowl tradition alive, keep the season short for players, AND keep the all-mighty dollar coming in. Seems like they're always finding excuses not to do so. Until then, I'll keep rooting for my team to win it's conference: the only thing it can PROVE on the field.
GO DAWGS!
Where are you at?
Forgot to say some stuff:
It really comes down to college teams not playing the same (quality) schedule. You can't compare the NFL to college for that reason. Maybe if 'strength of schedule' was put BACK into the BCS formula, that would satisfy me, but until then, it is (and always will be) a flawed, subjective system.
And this isn't 1950 anymore! College Football is big business, and when a team like AU gets left out, millions are lost. Presidents can say what they like about 'protecting the student athelete' and 'not wanting to add games' but as soon as they say that, a 12th game is adding to every teams' schedule. Hipocrits!
There is no reason NOT to have a playoff system - every major sporting event does EXCEPT college FB. If the Prezs would say, 'we're not changing the system until we can find another way to assure we make just as much money", I'd actually respect (understand) them a little more.
Until then, I love college football, but it is flawed under it's current system. They'd like to have it like the 1950s (amateur sports), but it's now a big biz and needs to be treated like one.
Randy,
I know this is an old topic, but I'd like to hear your opinions on this subject. I've listen out a few of mine and as you can see, I'm firmly on the side of playoffs.
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