So right now we don't have one. We have 4 teams invited to a playoff, but no real rules on how to get there. The NFL has a clear path with a clear set of rules to a playoff. It doesn't matter if you are 7-9 if you win your division in the NFL you make the playoffs.
We need a playoff that the winner of each conference gets an automatic bid into the playoff. The obvious problem is there are 5 conferences and we need an even amount of playoff teams. I think the simplest way would be to add one more team and go with a 6 team playoff. So while each conference is having their CCG, you have 2 at large teams playing for the final 6th spot as well that week. Now you have 12 teams that all got to actually play a game and settle it on the field as to who deserved to be in the playoffs. This system only adds 3 total games to the current system (play in game between 2 at large team) and then 2 additional playoff games that could happen 2 weeks after the CCG, with the #1 and #2 seeds getting byes. That still sets up the 4 team playoff in the current bowl system, with the Championship game following those.
I know everyone wants a 8 team playoff, but here is why I hate the idea of 8. Giving 3 teams a playoff spot who didn't have to play a 13th game (CCG), is almost an advantage. For instance right now Texas A&M is for sure in a 8 team playoff, while Bama and Florida are having to have a play in game to the playoffs. It isn't fair that 10 teams in essence have to play an extra game to get in, while 3 other teams don't have that extra data point, but still get in. We are seeing this year just how hard it is to judge/rank teams when they don't have the same amount of data points to judge.
Anyway, what say you?
We need a playoff that the winner of each conference gets an automatic bid into the playoff. The obvious problem is there are 5 conferences and we need an even amount of playoff teams. I think the simplest way would be to add one more team and go with a 6 team playoff. So while each conference is having their CCG, you have 2 at large teams playing for the final 6th spot as well that week. Now you have 12 teams that all got to actually play a game and settle it on the field as to who deserved to be in the playoffs. This system only adds 3 total games to the current system (play in game between 2 at large team) and then 2 additional playoff games that could happen 2 weeks after the CCG, with the #1 and #2 seeds getting byes. That still sets up the 4 team playoff in the current bowl system, with the Championship game following those.
I know everyone wants a 8 team playoff, but here is why I hate the idea of 8. Giving 3 teams a playoff spot who didn't have to play a 13th game (CCG), is almost an advantage. For instance right now Texas A&M is for sure in a 8 team playoff, while Bama and Florida are having to have a play in game to the playoffs. It isn't fair that 10 teams in essence have to play an extra game to get in, while 3 other teams don't have that extra data point, but still get in. We are seeing this year just how hard it is to judge/rank teams when they don't have the same amount of data points to judge.
Anyway, what say you?
