George Schroeder: How final is — and what’s the Pac-12’s role in — college football’s Final Four? By George Schroeder The Eugene Register-Guard Columnist The official position is there is no new position. The Pac-12 is not talking publicly about a playoff. Larry Scott isn’t saying much of anything. So I’ll say it for ’em: They’re in favor. Change is coming to college football. Finally. We’re not sure what form it will take — no one is at this point — but when the next BCS TV deal kicks in two years from now, well, there might not even be a BCS. Whatever it’s called, it won’t much resemble the current postseason structure. “I would be shocked if it doesn’t get significantly changed.” Those words come from a Pac-12 insider who didn’t want to be identified.... But it’s looking more and more likely that, come 2014 — well, can you picture, say, Alabama playing at Autzen Stadium in late December? Or the Ducks down in Austin against the Longhorns? The latest proposal being floated is a four-team playoff with semifinals played at home sites of the higher-seeded teams. It’s informally called the “Final Four of Football.” It’s getting serious consideration — and has gained some traction — with important power-brokers, including Pac-12 presidents. If you’re looking for public comments, the stuff being said by Big Ten folk is pretty telling. That stodgy league has been adamantly opposed to change. But suddenly its athletic directors are discussing — and in some cases pushing — a limited playoff. “The Big Ten is open and curious,” Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips told the Chicago Tribune last week. Insiders indicate the Pac-12 is open and curious, too — and that both leagues might be farther down the road than anyone’s ready to say.... The Final Four of Football isn’t attached to the bowls. It’s in addition to them, with the four participants playing in a separate playoff structure. After semifinals on campuses in late December, the championship would be played at a neutral site during the first week of January. Picture a Super Bowl-like setting: Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, or Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, or somewhere similar.... I suspect one reason for the silence is the Rose Bowl. While Big Ten and Pac-12 folks believe the proposal being considered would protect the Rose Bowl, they’re rightly sensitive about the subject But if change is coming, a Final Four of Football detached from the bowls might be a good way to preserve the best tradition in the sport.... No matter what anyone isn’t saying, the Pac-12 is open and very curious. Behind closed doors, the league might be ready to push for significant change. ------------- I like this article, of course Schroeder's insights are often,.. dead wrong. Nonetheless, It sure feels like changes are finally on the way. A final four of football, detached from the bowls, seems doable. Maybe a giant first step leading to a full blown playoff format. Now they need to, hurry the hell up.
I'm one of those guys that have moved to the middle on this subject. I love the regular season for college football. I like the Bowls. I would absolutely LOVE the idea of seeing the 2011 Tigers having a game at home against a Stanford, Ohio State, etc. But I am NOT in favor of a 16-team playoff. Too much travel for college fans, IMO. Especially if you're one of the lower seeded teams. I am for what these guys are talking about - A Final Four of Football. My question is this - How do you qualify for the game? Is there a selection committee? Or will the 4 highest ranked conference champions be selected? Or will we use the BCS rankings?
The problem of having someone left out isn't going away by adding 2 more teams and another game. Now, the #5 and #6 teams will be on the outside looking in. This year's example - #5 Oregon. They beat Stanford during the regular season and won the PAC-12 but would have been excluded from this playoff in favor of #4 Stanford. A team they beat.
