How a College Football Playoff Would Look

The BCS committee did the best they could with what they had to work with in 2008. Clearly, at this point in the season, no two teams are playing at the same level as Oklahoma and Florida, although the countless Texas Longhorns supporters may choose to dispute the issue.

A few weeks ago, I composed an article regarding the necessity for a College Football playoff system. In fact, I recently had a brainstorm on how a College Football playoff would work.

Here it is...

The tournament consists of twelve schools. The eligible schools are the champions from the top six conferences (SEC, ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big Twelve, and Pac-10). Additionally, all unbeaten schools, if any, are eligible. The remaining slots would be the top teams according to a committee and/or the rankings. This could include teams from any conference in the nation. Following the official selection of the twelve competing teams, a committee divides the schools into East and West regions, and they are seeded accordingly. The SEC, ACC, and Big East champions are locked in as the top three seeds in the East region, and the Big Ten, Big Twelve, and Pac-10 champions are locked in as the top three seeds in the West region.

The highest seeded school in each match-up hosts the opposing team, with the exception of the championship game. The finale would take place on neutral grounds.

Based on the 2008 regular season results, this is how the 2008 tournament would appear-

East Region

Number One seed- Florida (SEC champion) earns first-round bye

Florida ended the season as the top ranked school according to the Associated Press, and the second ranked school according to the BCS. Therefore, it was hardly a difficult decision to place them as the number one seed in the East Region.

Number Four seed Utah (undefeated during regular season) versus Number Five seed Alabama (Ranked #4 in final AP Top 25 Rankings)- winner faces Florida in semifinals

Despite the fact that Alabama owns a higher ranking than Utah on all national polls, Utah earns a higher seed based on their undefeated record. While many would anticipate an Alabama and Florida rematch in the semifinals, Utah is more than capable of pulling off the upset. In fact, Alabama may underestimate the undefeated Utes while prematurely looking ahead to a rematch with Florida.

These two schools already have a date set on January 2 in the Superdome for the All State Sugar Bowl.

Number Two seed- Cincinnati (Big East champion) earns first round bye

Cincinnati captured the Big East crown with a 6-1 conference record. The Bearcats are ranked 12^th in the final AP rankings compared to the 21^st ranking of ACC champions Virginia Tech, therefore, they earn the first round bye.

Number Three seed Virginia Tech (ACC champion) versus Number Six seed Ohio State (ranked # 10 in final AP Top 25 rankings)- winner faces Cincinnati in semifinals

Ohio State is arguably the stronger team based on their regular season results. Virginia Tech is fresh off a victory over Boston College in the ACC championship bout, earning the number three seed. If this were a true match-up, Ohio State is the more balanced team, especially on offense, so they would be favored to meet Cincinnati in an all-Ohio showdown.

West Region

Number One seed- Oklahoma (Big Twelve champion) earns first-round bye

Oklahoma earns the number one seed and a first round bye following a two-month offensive onslaught. In fact, the Sooners have scored at least 61 points in each of their last six games. They demoralized Missouri in the Big Twelve championship game, and they are clear-cut favorites to cruise to the College Football championship game.

Number Four seed Boise State (undefeated during regular season) versus Number Five seed Texas (ranked # 3 in final Top 25 rankings)- winner faces Oklahoma in semifinals

Like Alabama, Texas is seeking a rematch with the number one seed. However, Texas defeated Oklahoma in October, adding perplexity to the decision by the BCS to allow Oklahoma the opportunity to face Missouri in the Big Twelve championship game instead of Texas. A victory over Oklahoma would be a slap in the face to the BCS committee. First and foremost, however, they must focus on Boise State, who has not lost a game all season. The Longhorns are the better team and should roll past Boise State.

Number Two seed- USC (Pac-10 champion) earns first round bye

It seemed as if the majority anointed USC as College Football's supreme team back in September prior to the loss to Oregon State. Since the loss, they seemed to fall off the BCS radar. The loss to the Beavers was their only loss of the season, and they easily captured the Pac-10 regular season title, earning the number two seed, and a first round bye.

Number Three seed Penn State (Big Ten champion) faces Number six seed Texas Tech (ranked # 8 in final AP Top 25 rankings)- winner faces USC in semifinals

Penn State clinched the Big Ten title after posing a 7-1 conference record. Texas Tech ended the season in a three-way tie with Oklahoma and Texas in the Big Twelve South; however, they suffered a devastating defeat to the hands of Oklahoma towards the end of the season, significantly dropping their stock. Nevertheless, Texas Tech's number eight ranking is good enough to earn the sixth and final seed in the West Region. Based on the final month of the season, Penn State would probably come out on top, earning a trip to Los Angeles to face the Trojans.

Even under the proposed format, Oklahoma and Florida would likely meet in the championship showdown. Florida would have no trouble with any of the teams in the East Region, unless they had to face Ohio State. Texas is the only team in the West Region that could possibly defeat Oklahoma, considering their motivation, and the fact that they already defeated Oklahoma once this year.

Projected tourney results

First round (East)

4 Utah defeats 5 Alabama 20-17 in OT

Utah pulls of the upset in overtime.

6 Ohio State defeats Virginia Tech 38-21

Ohio State earns a trip to Cincinnati to face their inner-state rivals.

First round (West)

5 Texas defeats 4 Boise State 41-24

Texas is itching for a rematch with Oklahoma.

3 Penn State defeats 6 Texas Tech 30-24

In perhaps the most thrilling game of the first round, Penn State wins by scoring a touchdown on the final drive. Prior to the Penn State touchdown, Tech had scored the go-ahead field touchdown.

Semifinals (East)

1 Florida defeats 4 Utah 62-17

From opening kickoff to the final tick on the clock, Florida simply overpowers the Utes.

6 Ohio State defeats 2 Cincinnati 27-24 OT

Ohio State uses an overtime field goal to win the battle of Ohio.

Semifinals (West)

1 Oklahoma defeats 5 Texas 48-45 OT

Oklahoma overcomes a late 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime. They earn the victory over their Big Twelve foes with a field goal.

2 USC defeats 3 Penn State 38-28

USC controls the game; however, Penn State pulls to within a field goal with less than two minutes remaining and all three timeouts remaining. Sanchez leads the Trojans down the field for the game-clinching touchdown.

Regional Finals (East)

1 Florida defeats 6 Ohio State 44-27

Ohio State keeps it close for three quarters, but Florida wears them down in the fourth quarter.

Regional Finals (West)

1 Oklahoma defeats 2 USC 52-24

After a scare against the Longhorns, the Sooners are back to their old tricks against USC. They wallop the Trojans to earn a trip to Miami to face the Florida Gators.

Championship Game

Florida vs. Oklahoma