this

I'd be happy going to 8, 6 would do. It can be done. If there ever comes a day that the SEC or the big 10 is left out they will show you just how easy it is.

Hell, 4 is an improvement over 2, and 2 was an improvement of 11.67 or whatever it is we had before the BCS.

IF that happens in the way you describe this I'll be left shaking my head in disgust. It reminds me of "participation trophies" we started seeing in Little League, Pee-Wee football, etc. (FWIW, personally, I could see Delaney making they type of charge but can't see that coming from Sankey. If there's ever a case of a person marching to his own drum beat it's found with Delaney.)

@lsu-i-like I waas exchanging some text messages last night with a guy who is a walk-on in T-town ... nothing important, mind you, just talking (known the kids father for going on 12 years now.) I asked him about what he was doing for the holiday and he mentioned they've got three practices left before breaking for Christmas. That said ...

It dawned on me that having playoff games would have a bearing on how kids spend Christmas. Yes, I realize it already happens with games on the 24th, 26th, 27th, etc. I also realize I'm a bit closed minded in the fact I don't like the idea of college kids not having the ability to spend time with their families over the holiday season.

Am about about to take it to an extreme here? Maybe. Probably. But I start thinking about they'll just have to change a few things ... like finals, vacations, study times, class schedules, some suggest getting the NFL to change their procedures...

ESPN was complaining about having the games moved from the 1st to the 31st. I believe I recall reading it had to do with what they were considering a conflict with their other TV contracts. What happens to all those games we saw yesterday on ESPN? They move to "The Deuce" or to "The U." Then we're looking at payouts dropping and ratings sinking.

(I do admit I miss the days of having the Cotton in the early morning, seeing the Orange in the early afternoon and the Rose kicking off a couple of hours before dinner, and then settling down for the night with the Sugar ... ALL on New Years Day.)

There is a difference between moving bowl games and creating new high profile games. Pretty sure ESPN wouldn't be the hurdle to an 8 team playoff.

We definitely see the welfare of college football players differently. Most schools would jump at the opportunity, rarely in the limelight, and those players and families would be doing a once in a lifetime thing. But even at schools like Bama who currently see making the playoff as a forgone conclusion, I don't see those players as "poor kids". Those kids are living the dream; there are plenty of folks who work at jobs where the holidays are marginalized, and few professions have the compensation package of football player. Now, you're going to tell me these kids aren't paid, and I'll make the case that they are some of the highest profile interns on the planet (instead of making a joke about how some schools compensate better than others).

As far as participation trophy, I think that's where we most agree. I think a well crafted playoff can mostly reward excellence, though I do have strong doubts about the NCAA's ability to deliver a well-crafted playoff. I don't hate 4 vs just throwing the top 8 in. If 8 is that basic, might as well stick with 4. Rarely is there a team outside the top 4 with a legit claim (with the exception in my mind by minor conferences who have little control over SOS).

Right! Ask some woman working in a 7-11 on Christmas day to make ends meet so that people can buy cigarettes and beer if she would trade that in to watch her son play in a Christmas playoff game. A playoff game during Christmas is like a Christmas gift to the players and coaches involved, as well as to the fans. Right now the only thing to look forward to on Christmas Day is watching the Warriors and the Cavs.

A "drop the mic and walk away" statement there...