Question for those in favor of not expanding playoff field

[Herky T Hawk]

I think 8 teams would be perfect. What we're seeing right now is that with 4 teams, a couple of them are pretty much already per-determined at the beginning of each year and the others almost always come from the usual suspects. But with 8 teams, you're almost always guaranteed a few surprise teams per year.

With the current system, a non-blue blood like Iowa needs a perfect season to be assured of making the playoffs. Look at this year. With one loss already we're not out of the playoff picture. But even if we win out could possibly be on the outside looking in depending upon what happens in other conferences. With 8 teams, if we win out we'd be assured of being in.

Another way to look at it is this. In 2002, 2009, and 2015 we didn't make the BCS or playoffs. In the final BCS standings of 2002 we were #5 with a 2 loss USC ahead of us. In 2009 we were #10 in the final BCS standings. In 2015 we were #5 in the final CFP standings. Outside the top 4 every time during 3 of the greatest seasons we've had in modern history.

But switching to 8 teams since the beginning of the BCS era we would have made the playoffs twice and been just outside of the playoffs one more time. I think that is exactly what we would have deserved in each of those seasons. If Stanzi didn't get hurt in the NW game in 2009, we likely would have made the playoffs that year too. Three times in 20 years isn't too bad for a program at the prestige level of Iowa. I'm sure there are a few other fanbases, like Wisconsin(5 times in the top 8 end of regular season AP poll), Michigan(4 times), MSU(4 times), PSU(3 times), Nebraska(2 times) in the Big Ten, that would approve of such a change too since the beginning of the BCS era. OSU has 14 times in the end of regular season AP top 8 during that time frame though compared to their 7 times in the BCS championship or playoffs, which goes to show how no matter what we will still have the same bluebloods in almost every year.

 

[Rifler]

4 is a bore,.. 8 is great...

 

[hawkfeever]

I like 4. Best regular season in all of sports. Keeps every fan interested in games across the nation vs just regional interest (if win your conference you are in - don’t care about rest of the country). Built in controversy with one conference getting screwed (controversy keeps people interested).

My $,02 .... I could be OK with 6 teams, maybe but not 8.

"Keeps every fan interested in games across the nation vs just regional interest (if win your conference you are in - don’t care about rest of the country). "

I think just the opposite of this. Can already see the playoff has lessened the other bowls. They are consolation prizes. A bigger playoff allows for slow starting teams to get in easier and also allows for a Cinderella. Who is hot in the end.

 

[anon_gjzkhykcp9iuj]

BCS football championships are and always have been plain dumb. It is the only sport at any level that doesn't have a real playoff.
Same could be said of NCAA basketball, the only basketball at any level that doesn't time by quarters.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

4 is a bore,.. 8 is great...

How long you been workin' on that one?

 

[Rifler]

How long you been workin' on that one?

That took about ten seconds...

 

[grayhair81]

So you're okay with 3 SEC teams getting in?

Not Heath Ledger but I am OK with the 4 or 8 or whatever BEST teams getting in. I don't like automatic berths. For example, there is no one in the Little 12 that deserves playoff consideration this year. There are probably 6 SEC and 6 B1G teams better than anyone in that powderpuff conference.

 

[ichawk24]

Using P5 as a measure when it suits your argument, but using all of FBS when it suits your argument. Nice.

Careful you don't get squished by the moving goal posts.

 

[HaydenHawk8]

I just think 8 is the right number. All Power 5 conf champs get in. Then you have an at large pool of 3 teams. I would like the see it taken out of the ESPN/SEC hands it seems like.

I would also like to see these 3 criteria met:
1. Each conference you play 9-10 conf games. Regardless you cross over and you get to 9.
2. SOS is a factor in determining tiebreakers. So if there are 3 teams tied at 10-2, whoever had the higher SOS get the bid.
3. If you do not make your conf champ, you can not get an Auto bid (obviously).

I think with 8 teams you can at least get everyone at the table plus the 3 extra's. I would be in favor of cutting a non-conf game out of the schedule. Then just have an 11 game schedule. You can play the conf champ games the week of thanksgiving and then play the first round games a week or two later. Then you have the semi's on New Years and the final the following week. I realize there will be some years where 2 SEC/BIG 10/Big12 teams get in and thats fine. As long as every conference is represented that is fine. The at large can include a non-power 5 champ (only if they are in the top 10) of the playoff poll. If they are not top 10, then they do not get an invite.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Honest question - which team was left out that could reasonably complain about being the best team?

In an 8 team playoff that won’t be possible. That’s my point.

 

[j0nnyhb_Prime]

"Keeps every fan interested in games across the nation vs just regional interest (if win your conference you are in - don’t care about rest of the country). "

I think just the opposite of this. Can already see the playoff has lessened the other bowls. They are consolation prizes. A bigger playoff allows for slow starting teams to get in easier and also allows for a Cinderella. Who is hot in the end.

I can see your side of it, but what I meant was today you are rooting against the team from across the country which could take 1 of the 4 spots, if you expand, you don't have to worry about them, just win your own conference and you are in.

I don't think a larger pool peaks my interest (I'm a big 10 guy) to watch the rest of the nation, whereas with only 4, I am interested.

Note that I'm interested anyway, but this applies more to the less fanatic CFB fan. ;-)

 

[UncleChesterton]

It doesn't improve the playoff to have lesser teams in it.

.

Sure it does, especially with the committees consistent priority of best teams trumping conference titles and other metrics. Like it or not, they usually get it right since circumstances keep trying to keep Alabama out and they won't let it happen- when they are legitimately a superior team at year's end.