The 2OT: Fixing the College Football Playoff.

The thought.

Last Sunday, our fearless leader (Kirby Hocutt) announced the final four teams in the College Football Playoff.

1. Clemson
2. Oklahoma
3. Georgia
4. Alabama

Alabama's inclusion in the playoff (despite not winning the SEC Championship and being the second SEC team in the playoff) have made this year's lineup the most controversial since...well... last year's playoff.

While I agree that Alabama was the right call over Ohio State (55-24 against an Iowa team that finished 4-5 in the Big 10 is unforgivable), it is clear there are serious flaws in the current system. In the immortal words of Frank Costanza, “there has to be another way!”

Two teams

We go back to the BCS. Someone's computer decides who gets to play Alabama for national supremacy.

Four teams

A committee decides who the best four teams are. A power five champion is always left out. Group of five teams have no chance.

Six teams

There are two ways to go about this one. One option would be to take the top six teams. The other option would be to take in the five conference champions and one at large team, possibly from a group of five conference. The top two teams would have a first round bye.

Eight teams

This is the most popular option. The bracket would be made from all five conference champions and three at large teams.

Other options

Mike Leach proposed several ways to expand the playoff including a 64 team system. 64 teams of course would mean that we would be playing football until March, but who doesn't love more football.

The take

Initially I was in favor of the six team format made up of the power five champs and one at large bid. The problem with this is it still effectively leaves out the group of five conferences. UCF was the only FBS team to go undefeated this season and was never even considered for a spot in the top 4.

For me the only way to go would be an eight team format which includes automatic bids for the power five conference champions, as well as three additional at large spots with one of them being given to the group of five champion so that teams like UCF have a fair shot as well.

What's your take?

Let me know in the comments how you think seeding should look.

Got a thought?

There's a lot to discuss. Let me know if you have a topic you would like my take on. Football, basketball, baseball, recruiting.

Email me at christerpherdj@gmail.com

Or tweet me at @chrisdjttu