Bowls or Playoffs?

Based on the discussion in this lively forum , very simply, do you like the current bowl system (BCS) or would you prefer a playoff system (like NCAA basketball)? Why?

I would like a playoff system as the current system has too many flaws (potential for multiple undefeated teams = no true champion, etc.) and rewards mediocrity with .500 teams being rewarded or eligible for a bowl.

I would hate to see the bowls go, especially the older and more prestigious ones, because they are a part of college football. If you're in the SEC, you dream of going to the Sugar Bowl. If you're in the Big 10 or Pac 10, you dream of going to the Rose Bowl...and so on. Plus, the indecisiveness of the bowl system always provides fodder for off-season (and in-season for that matter) discussion and debate.

I wouldn't mind seeing the +1 playoff system that's been batted around. Maybe with some modifications, but a 16-team playoff might be a bit much. Bowls are cash cows but they do offer college kids on a mediocre team the chance to play in a "bowl" game before they graduate and move on.

There definitely has to be some way to implement a playoff system for the top teams while maintaining the current bowl system for other teams.

People always talk about the loss of money if bowls were eliminated, but I disagree with that as well. I think the idea of a playoff system in itself would sell to the general public just as much. And surely they could somehow keep the top 6 or 7 bowls set aside for a playoff system.

They could start the second to last week in December with the top 8 teams. I know 8 would be subjective as well, but if you can't get into the top 8, then try again next season. That would be four games right there (Cotton, Gator, Sugar, Capital One for example). The top four would advance to play two more semi-final bowls (Orange and Fiesta for example). The winners of those games could play in the finals the first week in January in the Rose Bowl. The top four bowls could switch from year to year if need be.

That would take up seven bowls right there. I know athletic directors around the nation would be whining at how their teams have to play more games, but the system would at least crown a true national champion.

You could always sprinkle in the other bowl games throughout those three weeks as well, giving other teams a shot at a bowl game.

The hype and excitement would be at an all-time high if you ask me. TV ratings and everything else would be better as well because there would be more teams (along with their fans) involved in the national title scene.

In case you are wondering, I'm for the playoff.

Wouldn't miss the BCS as it sits, not AT ALL

I'm sure Al's suprised by that LoL

Four of the top seven bowls play the saturday before New Years. The next week two more bowl games and then the third week the championship game. Only six spots reserved for conference champions plus the top two at large based on BCS system. Top six conferences would be SEC, PAC 10, BIG 10, BIG 12, BIG EAST, ACC. If you don't gurantee the six conferences a shot they will never go for it. The main problem is that Notre Dame or a one loss, none conference champion, major conference school could be shut out by say Boise state, playing a weak schedule,so strength of schedule needs to really count. Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, Cotton, Holiday,rotate for the first two rounds and rotate the championship among other sites. Seven games over three weeks the money and ratings would be huge.
I can dream can't I.

Here's an idea, use the English system for Football (soccer). One elite leauge, 'The Premiership Leauge', each team plays every other team twice over the season once at home and once away, three points for a win, 1 point for a draw, team at the top of the leauge is the champion for the season. In addition we have special cups to play for eg. The FA Cup open to every team in the country, via rounds going to the quatre finals, semi finals then the final to decide the winner.

Or stick with your systems which obviously work, but the playoffs sound better choice.

There are over 100 Division one teams, playing a maximum of 13 games, the recovery time needed from game to game for American Football is

at least 5 days due to all the hitting. So I don't think your suggestion would work here.

I'd have to go with Bowls. I hate admitting that, but it's the only way crappy little schools have a chance at anything TV-worthy. If they did a plyoff system, littler schools like Boise State and Auburn wouldn't get anywhere. The Bowl system at least sets up the rivalries and school spirit, since a lot of teams go to some kind of bowl. With playoffs, who would watch their Alma Mater if there was no way they would make any kind of Bowl or playoff? I bet it would be few. Their season would be over after it was evident they couldn't win their conference championships.

So, as much as I hate to admit it, the Bowl system is better in my opinion. Their are some major kinks to work out in the BCS, but overall, it's giving the nobody schools a chance to build their programs, have some fun, and build school spirit. (And contrary to what announcers and analysts believe, it is all about school spirit and fun. Ask the fans and boosters!)

There is a playoff system currently employed but it is in Division 1aa. I am a junior at Appalachian State University and have had the enjoyment of watching our team win back to back championships over the last two years. I can tell you personally there is nothing more excting than a 16 team playoff in december to decide the true national champion. Even though it is one division down we are still able to compete with many BCS teams and still average over 30k in attendance per game. Look out for the three-peat this year.

I don't believe a playoff would solve the controversy in crowning a D1 champion. I live in a DII college town that belongs to arguably the best DII conference in the country, every year the gulf south conference will be paired against one another in an early round, eliminating a powerful contender. If these sort of things happen at the DII level can you imagine the mess ESPN and the national sports media would create with the system to select DI playoff teams and pairings.

The +1 is the only viable solution I see. I hope the current bowl system stays in place, we get to see alot more football this way.

I voted BCS but think there should be changes. Playoffs were not well defined enough for me. Are we talking about the top twelve? ten? 4?

i like bowl games. it's what truly separates college football from the NFL, but I think that we need to do away with the BCS and go back to the old days.