According to a report by Lenn Robbins of the New York Post, we could see a four team playoff system in Division IA college football by 2011. The full article can be read here: A Football Final Four.
Robbins reports that the playoff would seed the top four teams (most likely using something like the current BCS), with the winners playing in a newly created bowl game for the national championship. This idea has floated around for a few years under the "Plus-1" moniker.
I am a big proponent of a playoff system in college football. I favor an eight team playoff, but I think a four team one would work just as well. Any type of playoff system is definitely favorable over the old and busted BCS.
If this system was in place last season, the match-ups using the BCS formula would have been: #1 Ohio State vs #4 LSU and #2 Florida vs #3 Michigan.
Would the results have been any different? In theory, less time would have elapsed between the Buckeye's season ending victory over Michigan and the final game against Florida (50+ days). Certainly too much time off was a factor in their performance against the Gators.
It would be erroneous to assume that Michigan's poor performance in the Rose Bowl loss to USC would have translated over to the playoff game against Florida. Michigan was demoralized after being passed over for the BCS game, and therefore did not play their "A" game against a Trojan team looking to prove that their season ending loss to rival UCLA was an aberration.
Florida definitely played with a chip on their shoulder in the BCS title game. Would they have played with the same intensity under the four team format?
It would also be a mistake to overlook LSU. The Tigers won their last six games of the regular season and demolished Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. They had similar team speed (specifically on defense) as the Gators did and would have matched up well against the Buckeyes.
My complete and unbiased view: Ohio State wins a tight one against LSU, and Florida struggles early against Michigan before pulling away at the end. The Gators would then go on to beat the Buckeyes in what I believe would have been a closer, more exciting national championship game.
The timing of this report is great, as I was just about to write an article on how to revolutionize college football's postseason. That article should be up sometime this week.
College Football Playoffs Coming In 2011?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 7:34 PM Posted by Mike Register
State of Ohio 0-4 in Championship games in 2007?
Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 3:02 PM Posted by Mike Register
We all know the Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the Florida Gators in the National Championship games in College Football and Basketball in 2007. King James and the Cavs also were swept by San Antonio in the NBA Finals.
Well, now the state of Ohio has another opportunity to lose a championship game. The Columbus Destroyers will take on the San Jose SabreCats in Arena Bowl XXI on Sunday, July 27, 2007.
The Destroyers are the Cinderella team of the AFL this year. They actually had a losing regular season record (7-9) and were the last seed (#6) in the National Conference.
In the first round they squeaked by a 9-7 Tampa Bay Storm team before beating the #1 seed, Dallas "How 'Bout Them Cowboys" Desperados in the next round. Jerry Jone's "Lil Cowpokes" were huge favorites and had a 10-point lead at the half. Then the Destroyers recovered back to back kick-offs and used the momentum to stun the 15-1 Desperados.
In the Conference Championship game they beat the Georgia Force. They will face a strong San Jose SabreCat team led by veteran AFL QB Mark Grieb. The SabreCats are bound to be the favorites to win the Arena Bowl.
I for one will be cheering on the Columbus Destroyers. Not because of the magical postseason they are having or because I love a good underdog. I will be cheering on the Destroyers because my good friend (and Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Indians, and Cavaliers fan) doesn't care about Arena Football. An Arena Football Championship will give him as much happiness as did the Browns' drafting of Brady Quinn (very little).
I find the irony of the situation wonderful. A little sad, but wonderful.
It has begun!
at 1:08 PM Posted by Mike Register
Welcome to the first post of the "God Loves The Gators" blog. My name is Mike Register, and I will be your host, storyteller, entertainer, and all around best friend while you are here reading my blog.
I would like to go over a few things that may improve your reading experience on this blog:
1. The name "God Loves The Gators" came from a bet I made with a good friend. To find out more, just click here: Florida/Ohio St bet.
2. I am a huge Florida Gator and Miami Dolphin fan. But don't worry about me being biased, as I am extremely intelligent, kind, and basically, I know my football. I promise to you I will not let my loyalties distract me from presenting "Fair and Balanced" commentary on all things football.
3. I have been called a smart ass before. I take it as a compliment. If something offends you on this blog, its probably best to just assume that I am being a smart ass and/or you have no sense of humor.
4. Any and all proceeds from this blog go to support my college education. So, read my blogs, post comments, click on advertiser's links, and have fun!
