The Rest of College Football

[SeattleLionsFan]

If you agree that there's no good way to determine the best team, why would you disagree when I say it's a fools errand to try to do it?

[hodgkal]

I agree with Seattle Lions Fan. The current system is flawed but all the alternatives suggested here are also flawed. In short, there is no truly democratic way to determine a CFB champion without making the system open to more teams than can be accomodated due to the constraints of time, logistics, and cost. BB simply does not translate to FB. Nor does the system used by schools in the lower CFB divisions.

People like to hyperventilate about this and that is fine. The current system does nothing to diminish interest and that is really what it is all about. Let people argue into the Spring who was the best. No harm done. CFB is not going down the tubes due to the current system. That said, I'm not opposed to making realistic improvements but a truly democratic playoff system seems unrealistic. I agree there is room for improvement but you're never going to please everybody.

[Dr. Strangelove]

If you agree that there's no good way to determine the best team, why would you disagree when I say it's a fools errand to try to do it?

I don't believe the purpose of a tournament or playoff is to anoint a "best team", a completely subjective and nebulous term. The purpose is to crown a champion. Nothing more, nothing less. You can still argue all you want who the "best team" was.

I see absolutely no reason why the lower division of college football can hold a playoff but the "logistics and cost" will not work in 1-A. Schools like Grand Valley State and Mount Union aren't exactly flush with cash so how they are able to afford playoffs and their players are able to play and take exams at the same time is beyond me.

Really, I don't think I've ever heard a compelling reason why playoffs and end-of-season tournaments are okay for ALL OTHER SPORTS and all other levels of high school, college, and professional football, but OMG it would ruin 1-A football forever because the Capital One Bowl would no longer have the deep significance it currently has.

[*JD*]

A 12 or 16 team tourney would be the better choices for determining a champion. With 12, you reward the voters favorites with a bye. With 16, you reward the top 8 with a home game.

No system is perfect but a tourney is a truer showing of which team is best.

[Jamie H]

Playoffs/Tournaments are the accepted way of determining team sports (and several individual sports) champions. Voting is for artistic junk like figure skating and rythmic gymnastics that is totally subjective, where competitors are not on the same field of play at the same time and can't be pitted against one enother.

Maybe olympic track and field should stop running multiple heats and finals and just have people VOTE for who should win the gold medal. That would be much more satisfying right?

[WM Wolverine]

When I look at the 9 through 16 teams in CFB, I really don't see those teams having a worthy claim to be a national championship. Those teams can play in the Cotton, Capital One, Chick-fil-A and Outback Bowls.

[iam416]

I'd rather have too few teams in the tournament than too many. I greatly prefer 2 over 16. 4 is best. Make it conference champs. I'm good

[WM Wolverine]

Concur, too many dilutes the regular season. Losing two regular season games should knock you out of any postseason in most circumstances.

[WingsFan]

I agree with Seattle Lions Fan.

So do I, or I should say SLF agrees with me :-) since it well know I like the BCS - here and on the other side (Lions forum). That's 3 of us who dont want a playoff and Dave Brandon (had a good take on it) as well.

[Tony G]

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/1/21/2724071/joe-paternos-health-lunch-cancer-decline-respirator-penn-state-football

paterno off life support?

[whodean]

I doubt it would ever get as far as 8 or 16 games, that would just be too many extra games, but 4 (the plus-1) seems good.

[Optimus Prime]

JoPa near death, I figured the scandal would take him within a few months. Wonder if Jerry is stopping by the hospital?

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2012-01-21/joe-paterno-health-joe-paterno-cancer-joe-paterno-near-death-penn-state

[WM Wolverine]

Stress is a real killer, makes every disease, sickness much worse.

[Rob F]

Just reported during the Michigan hockey game at ND (on Michigan Sports Radio) JoePa is dead at age 85...

[whodean]

RIP Joe Paterno.