Computing a National Championship
Ahh computers, they make everything so much easier don't they? Where are we going? Don't get a map, let's just type it in the computer. Let's order a pizza. No stupid, don't pick up the phone, let's send the pizza joint an email. Who's the best NCAA Football team in the nation? Don't have them play, let's calculate how good everyone is. That's right, it's time to take our look at the much maligned BCS system for determining NCAA Football's national championship. Why wait until the end of the season?
There's no need for me to recount all the reasons a playoff system would be so much better. So let's just talk about the only one that really matters. Matchups on paper are one thing, but there's a reason you play the game.
Look, we all know the teams would rather face each other. The coaches would rather face each other. The fans would rather face each other. Let's just get it done. It's gotten to the point where at the end of each season, I find myself cheering for an undefeated team to be left out of the title game.
Why? Because it magnifies the cracks in the system. And even if both teams are undefeated, does that mean there isn't a better team out there. Maybe, maybe not. There's only one way to find out PLAY THE GAME.
I love college football. And I know you do too. But it is missing out on something that could be so special. So with the release of the first BCS ranking out yesterday, all of these feelings of incompleteness return to me.
Imagine a one-and-done Division I NCAA Football tournament. March Madness is unreal each year because of the excitement the field of 65 generates. I don't want to get too caught up saying a football tournament would work exactly the same way as basketball. But if the other divisions in football can do it, so can D-I.
Keep the bowl games (well, not all of them). Make the big ones similar to the final four. Rotate the championship game each year just as they do now. There have been numerous strategies to get this done. Let's just pick one and get things settled on the field.
At least let's talk about it. I'll shoot you an email.
posted by NCAA Football at 7:35 AM
13 Comments:
Playoff is the only way to make things fair. One of the biggest head scratches I have about the BCS is the fact that TN spanked Cal in the 1st game of the season, and lost to FL by 1 pt. Yet, somehow, Cal is ranked above TN in the BCs, while ranked below them in all the other polls also. hmmm. Even tho people think computers dont make mistakes, the BCS proves them wrong every year
I second what anonymous said. I was amazed to see that TN was below Cal too, that makes no sense to me. And that Rutgers is below Boise State, and Rutgers is undefeated in a BCS conference.
Amen Brothers! My favorite college teams are:
#1. Cal
#2. Tennessee
#3. Texas
With that said, the BCS rankings are reallly adding to my emotional roller coaster. A playoff system should really be implemented to decide the National Champs. I really believe that if Tenn. was to play Cal right now Cal would win. They have been great ever since that game 1 loss. Even though I feel this way, I don't trust a computer to tell me this. I would have to see them actually play each other again to be sure. Someone has to have a better solution to this ongoing problem. Playoffs, please!
While I agree with anonymous that a playoff system is needed, I don't think Cal would beat Tennessee if they were to play right now. I don't know if they saw the UT/UGA game, but UT looks really good right now, I think they would still beat Cal, maybe not so badly this time.
kw4h, didn't see UT/UGA game but an impressive win (@ Georgia) for sure. Cal beat Oregon bad as you probably know. I don't think the Vols could come to Berkeley right now and beat these Bears the way they are playing although I'm sure it would be a great close game. At any rate we got our hands full right now w/the rest of the season. There will be nothing to "compute" when Cal beats SC and pandemonium ensues, better than the Super Bowl baby!
Well it doesnt matt because cal and TN wont play again and michigan would beat them both any way
Anonymous #1 you are definitely right... Cal will beat USC. USC is very suspect, they just need to play one good team and they will no longer be undefeated. Anonymous #2, Michigan is having a great season but if they don't have Manningham I dont know if they could beat both TN and Cal
Hey Michigan fan, that's a pretty bold statement about beating Cal and TN. The Wolverines are the ones that would end up beat right now @ either Berkeley or Knoxville. But getting back to the original article we only have the computers/polls to rely on. Which is why you said that in the first place!
cal will murder...thats right...murder all others who try to step up this year...its a FACT! I'm taking all bets...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hey, Mr. comment deleted, speak your mind about the topic. If you are gonna come with it, use some knowledge, don't be a player hater. It don't take any skill to cuss and just get erased like your team!
It looks like everyone wants a division A-1 football playoff. So what can we as fans do to get it? What must be done to convince the NCAA to mandate a playoff?
There isn't anything we as fans can do.
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