BCS bullcrap

I used to enjoy listening to talk radio, only for sports though. After a while, I just got sick of how every topic had to be made into this grand important discussion and what it means to society. Does anyone actually think the Terrell Owens really cares what sportstalk hack Joe from Idaho thinks about his celebrations? No, all he cares is that people talk about him so that his name is familiar, so that he can get big contracts and endorsements.

So, when I changed jobs last November, I made the switch to becoming a full time iPod listener and have given up on terrestrial radio almost entirely. I realize that using the iPod puts me behind the satellite radio crowd, but I don't need another monthly expense these days. Eventually XM and Sirius are going to merge and then we will see what happens to those monthly rates (will probably double).

So, why am I writing this post? As a college football fan, I find that there is nothing more annoying than the yearly, "which team got screwed by the BCS?" debate. Now that there are close to 30 bowl games, all a team has to do is play .500 ball just to make one. Talk about rewarding mediocrity. I can remember when teams that made a bowl after when 7 or 8 games felt lucky!

I feel that college football deserves a playoff. The college sports that have tournaments, generate an inordinate about of interest. ESPN broadcasts the hockey final 4. There are only two hockey conferences in the nation and this group gets coverage on ESPN. A college football play would not only generate money and interest, but it owuld likely stop the BCS conferences powers from scheduling weak opponents since a loss would not be as costly.

The best way to get a playoff is for the BCS to continue to suck ass and break year after year. I have actually pulled for 3 or more teams to go undefeated just in the hopes that it will really screw over another team from making it and create outrage.

Here is the format I would propose for a 16 team college playoff:

1) Conference champions receive automatic bids to the tournament (Notre Dame had better join a conference or else it would risk having to earn an at large nid every year. Screw them if they don't want to play along. Their presence would not add viewers to a playoff.). The conferences that would get automatic bids would be:

ACC
Big East
Big Ten
Big Twelve
PAC 10
SEC
Mountain West

Furthermore, each conference champion would get to host a first round game. I think it is a big deal to win these conferences, so you should be rewarded.

2) At large bids would be selected NCAA tourney style with a selection show. Strength of schedule and how you finish the season are usually important criteria for earning a berth in the men's basketball tournament. I would expect the same for this one. Therefore, no more games against the Citadel for homecoming!

3) The first round of the tournament would be played on the 2nd saturday of December. Subsequent rounds would follow every week until a champion is crowned with the exception of the Final Four. Those two games would be played on New Year's Day. Can you imagine the buildup for those two games? It would be unreal!

4) The championship would be played on the second Saturday after New Year's Day to allow the hype to really go crazy.