BCS System vs. College Football Playoff

If you are a fan of college football, then you have probably expressed some concern over the current BCS System for college football bowl games. The other day I read the article of a classmate, Sam Edmiston, regarding this issue from the stance of a college football player. His opinion sides with the current BCS system; however, I think a better argument exists for the college football playoff system to determine a national champion.

The BCS system ranks the top college football teams based on several important statistics representative of a good team. Based on these rankings, the matchups are decided for the major BCS bowl games. This system seems logical; however, in recent years has revealed several flaws. Several years ago, based on the matchups, two teams had to split the national championship. This could be alleviated if a college football playoff system were in place.

The BCS system also makes it very difficult for teams of mid-major conferences to compete in the national championship game. For example, this year, Texas Christian University and Boise State University, two undefeated teams, will not be able to play for the national championship, yet Alabama and Texas, both undefeated, will be able to. This isn’t fair that these schools, with equal records, don’t get the opportunity to achieve the same goal.

According to ESPN analyst Pat Forde, these problems could be alleviated with an eight-team playoff system, which could begin in mid December, along with the other traditional bowl games. The sponsors who lost bowl games because of the bowl system could each host one of these bowl games to make up for lost revenue. The championship game would then be played the same night that it is now played under the current system. If only one game was removed from the regular season, the national champions would only be required to play one extra game, which wouldn’t place too much of an excessive strain on the players.

I understand the concern made by Sam Edmiston in his article; however, I think the benefits of a college football playoff would outweigh its disadvantages. Additionally, college football fans would receive the thing that matters most, more college football.