BCS “Final Four?” Here’s Four Questions to Think About

The biggest debate in college sports could most likely come to an end sooner rather then later. It’s a topic that’s absorbed so much media attention that President Obama has even voiced his opinion about a possible playoff system in the BCS.

Over the last few months, it’s been discussed if the BCS in college football should adopt a playoff system.

Later this week, parties involved with the BCS meetings will be meeting in Chicago, Illinois, to discuss a “Final Four” playoff structure for the BCS. Even though a playoff system in the BCS is coming, there are still a few questions these parties need to think about and will talk about this week in Chicago.

Who Should Select the Four Teams?

Since 2005, the BCS has used the Harris Interactive Poll to help determine who would play in the BCS Championship. This interactive poll is then used with the Coaches’ Polls and the Computer’s Average to determine the BCS Rankings for the BCS National Championship.

Over the years, there has been much controversy about  with teams should play into the BCS National Championship. For example, two teams from the same conference both received bids to the 2012 title game. LSU and Alabama from the SEC played a hyped rematch while Oklahoma State did not get to play for the championship. Many thought that the one-loss Cowboys should have had a chance against undefeated LSU.

Who should have been the real national champion in 2012? No one will know for sure, but that title with go to Alabama. This is why selection for the four-team playoff structure is so important.

However, why reinvent the wheel? There’s a selection committee already in place for college basketball with ten athletic directors and conference commissioners selecting teams. The BCS should borrow what college basketball already has and adapt it to work for college football. For example, they could select a committee of six members who serve 5-year terms.

There are some arguments in college basketball, but the four teams to receive #1 seeds are usually the best in the sport hands down.

Where Should the Final Four Games be Played?

This answer seems quite simple: neutral sites. In college football, home field advantage is huge. If a team was going to play Ohio State in a playoff game, would that team want that game to be at The Horseshoe or a neutral site?

Exactly.

It evens the playing field to have the “Final Four” games at neutral sites. Why should a team that did not make the playoffs be able to play their last time in a neutral bowl game while the third and fourth teams who made it have to go play on the road? It just makes everything fair.