NCAA President wants 8-team playoff

[gamecockcat]

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

 

[akaukswoosh]

My vote doesn't count but four is fine.

 

[maysvilleky]

I disagree...I think the power 5 conference champs should get an automatic bid. Then highest rated non-power 5 team and then 2 wild-card selections. I think it makes the conference championships even more meaningful for say a 2 loss team.

So this year Penn St. and Oklahoma would have been automatics and Western Michigan would be in via non-power 5 team. That would have left Michigan and Ohio St as the wild-card selections.

 

[Beatle Bum]

My vote doesn't count but four is fine.

This. Or, better than fine.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Let's get rid of the "P5." People think there is a connection between having five "power" conferences and the playoff. That simply is not so and should not be so. Best four teams, please.

 

[UKfan2151]

Hell, I was perfectly happy with the BCS. I knew the moment they went to a 4 team playoff that it would just be the beginning and people would continue to demand more and more. If they go to 8 teams, it won't be long until everyone is demanding 16. College football simply isn't set up to deal with this many games and the only way you could enact such a change is by screwing up the regular season. For some reason, people just have this tendency to constantly dick around with things to "improve them" until they manage to completely destroy them. NASCAR is a perfect example. Why can we never leave good enough alone?

 

[cardkilla_rivals379685]

They'd either have to go back to 11 games or get rid of conference championships and best team in each conference decided by some formula of conference wins, top 25 ranking, and strength of schedule or something. Then have 3 spots for best 3 teams left. I believe you're eventually gonna have to go to 8. Sure nobody is probably beating Bama but in most years there are several teams that could beat each other on a single day.

Would certainly change the dynamic of CFB and the bowl system, but it could also give a team like UK a chance to get into that 6-8 spot if they are having a special year. Could even go to 12 and give top 4 a bye.

 

[maysvilleky]

They'd either have to go back to 11 games or get rid of conference championships and best team in each conference decided by some formula of conference wins, top 25 ranking, and strength of schedule or something. Then have 3 spots for best 3 teams left. I believe you're eventually gonna have to go to 8. Sure nobody is probably beating Bama but in most years there are several teams that could beat each other on a single day.

Would certainly change the dynamic of CFB and the bowl system, but it could also give a team like UK a chance to get into that 6-8 spot if they are having a special year. Could even go to 12 and give top 4 a bye.

I think they should be at 11 games anyways. But I don't think they will ever go back due to money. But if it was 11, then a bowl team with 6 wins would have a winning record going in.

 

[JasonS.]

For good or for bad, the playoff is the one aspect of college athletics Mark Emmert has basically no say in.

Six would be interesting ... give you a real incentive to get in the top two. Agree you lose something if it goes to eight.

 

[Bluetick2100]

Let's go back to no play off at all so everyone can argue their way to the title.

 

[NCukcat62]

I personally believe it should be 8. Power 5 conference champions all get bids with 2 at large and the final bid goes to the highest ranked group of 5 teams. That would make it very interesting.

 

[Rawrrr]

For good or for bad, the playoff is the one aspect of college athletics Mark Emmert has basically no say in.

Six would be interesting ... give you a real incentive to get in the top two. Agree you lose something if it goes to eight.

It has to be a multiple of 4. What in the hell would you do with 3 semifinalists, have 3 teams playing each other on a triangle shaped field?

 

[JasonS.]

It has to be a multiple of 4. What in the hell would you do with 3 semifinalists, have 3 teams playing each other on a triangle shaped field?

 

[bthaunert]

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

You mention 16 games being too many, but 15 isn't?

I love the idea of an 8 team playoff. As others have mentioned, the champions from the Power 5 conferences, highest rated champion of the non Power 5 conferences and 2 at large. First round is played at home sites and the next two are at neutral sites like it is now. Here is how last year and this year would have played out:

2015

1) Clemson vs 8) Houston
4) Oklahoma vs 5) Iowa
2) Alabama vs 7) Ohio State
3) Michigan State vs 6) Stanford

2016

1) Alabama vs 8) Western Michigan
4) Washington vs 5) Penn State
2) Clemson vs 7) Oklahoma
3) Ohio State vs 6) Michigan

That is what I call a hell of an 8 team tournament.

 

[bthaunert]

It has to be a multiple of 4. What in the hell would you do with 3 semifinalists, have 3 teams playing each other on a triangle shaped field?

Oh boy

 

[UKUGA]

It has to be a multiple of 4. What in the hell would you do with 3 semifinalists, have 3 teams playing each other on a triangle shaped field?

2 teams get byes.

See: National Football League

 

[pickled cat]

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

To me there should be far more importance placed on your conference championship. We don't tell our highschool kids; oh I know you won the region, but we're going to let this other team play for the State Championship because they pass the eye test and we think they are a better team.

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

BS

 

[maysvilleky]

It has to be a multiple of 4. What in the hell would you do with 3 semifinalists, have 3 teams playing each other on a triangle shaped field?

2 play in games with 2 byes for top 2 teams. See bracket Jason posted.

 

[jte123]

I love college football but I have never understood the BCS or playoff or any other system they have had. First - you need to have every team playing the same type of schedule, meaning every conference needs to have a championship game or not but it has to be uniform. Its the only sport where its not consistent. Second - it should be an 8 team playoff the match-ups would be great. I would like to see if a team like USC could make a push since they are playing so well after a tough start. Seems dumb if you have "Power 5" conferences but only 4 spots. Third - I hate when people say it would mess up the regular season. Teams still have to win games and your telling me people won't care about their teams match-ups? UK vs UL, Bama vs Auburn, Michigan vs Ohio State etc. There are usually good match-ups to start the season as well plus there are only 12 games each year. Finally lets settle it on the field enough with voters and polls etc. Apply the current college football system to any other sport and you would say its ridiculous.

 

[pickled cat]

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

If this joke of a committee would just let the conference championship do what it was intended to do;( pick the conference representative) then the entire system wouldn't seam broken!! Human preference ruined it! Leave it alone, let it work and every team will play every game like there's no tomorrow!!

 

[bthaunert]

I love college football but I have never understood the BCS or playoff or any other system they have had. First - you need to have every team playing the same type of schedule, meaning every conference needs to have a championship game or not but it has to be uniform. Its the only sport where its not consistent.

College basketball has never been like this until this year. This will be the first year that every conference has a conference tournament. Obviously the Big12 has decided to have a conference championship game in football so every conference will now have one.

 

[bthaunert]

If this joke of a committee would just let the conference championship do what it was intended to do;( pick the conference representative) then the entire system wouldn't seam broken!! Human preference ruined it! Leave it alone, let it work and every team will play every game like there's no tomorrow!!

So, if Bama somehow got upset by Florida in the SEC championship game, they should be out with the current system?

 

[willievic]

I would like to see a 6 team play-off. The two top teams get a bye, and the no.3 play no. 6 and no.4 play no. 5. Then no 1 play winner of 4 and 5 and no 2 play winner of 3 and 6. then winners play.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[Phil McKracken]

Another idea (which will likely never happen) is get rid of divisions in the Power conferences and make every conference play a conference championship game. That way, you almost assuredly get the two best teams in a conference playing each other in their championship game with a chance to go to the playoff (I realize not all conferences teams will play each other due to unbalanced schedules).

I like the 4-team system, but could see it going to 6, but don't want 8. You start watering down the playoff with more teams and college football will start to lose some interest from the casual fan. As it is now, every game counts (if they fix the conference championship issue) and then you have three total games to win the national title. Even throwing in the wildcard game (in the 6-team playoff) and I start to lose some interest until the finals.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

It all depends on how it is structured. I prefer 8 teams with 5 coming from the top 5 conferences, 1 at large conference (highest rated team not in P5) and 2 at-large. The 2 at-large cannot be from the same conference.
By emphasizing conference champions, teams can begin to play strong OOC games.
If Alabama knows it will again dominate the SEC, they can play Ohio State, USC, Texas, Washington, Florida St type games and it will not hurt their chances of making the playoffs.

 

[Rawrrr]

Well that's lopsided isn't it? Then we are right back to the old BCS system for #1 and #2 getting the easy route and the other 4 teams having to play an extra game. Add two more brackets on the top of that and you've got something, everyone having to play 2 games to get to the final. Also having two play-in games puts too much power in the hands of the rankers in deciding which poor schlubs are 3-6.

 

[point1zerorock]

I've always thought a six team playoff would be interesting. Think of the NFL conference playoffs. 6 teams, top 2 get a bye.

For college, this would allow the power 5 conference champions and an at-large to be represented. The 2 best teams earn the right to not have to play a 3 rounds. Only one team would ever play 3 games, and that probably wouldn't that happen often.

 

[mtn cat1]

Given the NCAA's unequal enforcement policies relating to NCAA Members, I'm automatically opposed to anything that the NCAA may have a voice in!!!

 

[MountainDoc]

There's no need for expansion. Conference championship games are basically play in games IF the selection process places a premium on conference champs (which it should). Win your games, win your conference and go to the playoff..

 

[BIGCAT4LIFE]

8 Teams
6 Automatics
2 Wildcard games 4 teams for 7th and 8th spot.
7 vs 10
8 vs 9

 

[Tskware]

[QUOTE = My vote doesn't count but four is fine.]

This. Or, better than fine.

Agree 100%, four strikes the right balance of (a) settling the championship on the field; (b) preserving the uniqueness of the regular season, which is >>>>>>>> any other major sport; and (c) preserving the history and tradition of the bowls, which have served college football quite well for over 100 years.

 

[subsonic66_rivals31651]

8 is minimum requirequirement imho 16 would be best

 

[Beatle Bum]

Ain't broke. Looking forward to the games!

 

[Blue63Madison]

Four is awesome. Eight would be perfect, and that's what it will eventually be.

Six would be interesting ...

Terrible idea.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

I was fine with the 4 team playoff, but putting tOSU in when they didn't even win their division and omitting 2 P5 teams, one which beat tOSU head to head leaves a bad taste to me. If we are going to have a five P5 conferences then their champion deserves to be in the playoff over ANY team who didn't win their division. I would and did feel the same way about Bama back in the BCS era. But all of it is driven by money, so 8 team playoff is right around the corner. All P5 champions, the highest ranked non P5 team and 2 wildcards, with the exception of no conference can have more than 2 representives

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

They should go to 64 teams so Notre Dame would have a shot most years.

 

[TeoJ]

Personally, I'm against it. As OSU already proved this year, if you're already in the playoff, it's better to not have to play a conference championship game. Add another 4 teams and the idea of a 'conference champion' and, by extension, the need for a 'conference championship game' becomes irrelevant. Not to mention some teams could end up playing 16 games - that's just too many. Plus, in almost every conference, there is a huge difference in the strength of schedule played. If you're in the B10 and don't play OSU, UM or PSU this year, well I'm guessing you'd have a better shot and winning your division than if you did play them.

One of the beauties of CFB is that literally every game is a mini-playoff. Unlike CBB where a loss in January or February or even conference tournament in March probably only affects where your team is seeded in the NCAA. UofL went from in the CFP conversation to out of it, to out of the Orange Bowl in the space of two weeks. Early losses by Penn State meant they couldn't make up enough ground to be in the Final Four. The more teams make the CFP, the less the regular season means.

If you really look at it, in almost every year, there are really only about 4, maybe 6, teams who should even be considered for a championship. Hard to argue any 2-loss team has a legitimate gripe about missing the playoff, imo. I would be OK with 6 teams making the CFP with the lower 4 playing to face the 1 and 2-seeded teams who receive a bye. But no more. Can't say that this year (or any in recent memory) I think there are 8 legitimate contenders.

I think only two legit contenders.

 

[TotesMcGotes]

12 team playoff. all 10 fbs conferences get their champ in. Plus 2 wildcards. Top 4 overall seeds get a bye.

 

[TeoJ]

Hell,let's open it up like the Basketball championship.65 plus one play in team.The only bad thing about this is number 67 will be upset.

 

[rick64]

Wouldn't shock me at all. If there's more money to be made the NCAA will definitely be onboard. Conference champions from the P5 conferences plus 3 at large teams.