PART 1: Re-Alignment
With all the recent controversy regarding the Final 4 from
the College Football Playoff Committee, it got me thinking that there has to be
a better way to have college football to crown a national champion. I don’t have a problem with a selection
committee making the tough decisions on how to select 4 teams out of 128
division 1 teams. I don’t have a problem
only 4 teams being selected for the playoff, when there are 5 Power Conferences
in FBS. (And for the record, I didn’t
have a problem with the 4 teams the committee selected this year for the
playoff.) Where I do have a problem, is
the idea that winning your conference championship should matter.
The College Football Selection Committee has “Championships
Won” listed as one of their main criteria when selecting teams for the playoff. By doing this they are completely ignoring,
the fact that conference championships are nothing more than a title. It no longer actually tells who the best team
in that conference actually is. Why you
ask? The conferences are TOO BIG!
The biggest argument when the playoff was announced on
Sunday was that Penn State was left out despite winning the toughest conference
in football this season. (I am still not
sold on the Big Ten being the best conference, we will learn a lot more from the
bowl games and the playoff.) The argument was that either Washington or Ohio
State should have been bumped for Penn State.
Ohio State became the 1st non-conference champion to make the
playoff in its 3-year history.
Again, let me say… The
conferences are TOO BIG!!! There is no
denying that Penn State won the Big Ten East division over Ohio State and
Michigan, the issue that I have with that title is that Penn State, Ohio State
and Michigan didn’t all play the same conference schedule. Declaring one team a champion, when not all
teams are playing on an even playing field makes no sense. In the Big Ten each team plays the 6 teams in
their division and 3 crossover games.
This year Ohio State played at Wisconsin and home against Nebraska and
Northwestern, those teams finished 1st, 2nd and 5th
in the B1G West. Michigan also played
Wisconsin at home as well as at Iowa and a home game vs Illinois, those teams
finished 1st, 3rd and 6th in the B1G
West. Penn State on the other hand
played home against Iowa and Minnesota and on the road against Purdue, those teams
finished 3rd, 4th and 7th in the Big Ten. So Ohio State went on the road to Madison and
beat Wisconsin, the same team that Penn State needed the largest comeback for
in conference championship game history, to beat on a neutral field, while Penn
State got the 3rd and 4th place teams (Iowa/Minn) at home
at their lone road crossover game was Purdue, arguably one of the worst 5 Major
Conference teams in the nation. That is
a good way to decide a “Champion”?
This year there was 4 conference championship games from the
Power 5 Conferences and you could make the argument that none of the four
featured the 2 best teams from their conference.
In the ACC, Clemson faced Virginia Tech. Clemson was ranked
#3 in the nation and was an obvious choice to be in the game, but VT was 9-3
and ranked 23rd. Meanwhile, Florida
State and Louisville, ranked 12th and 13th respectively,
were left at home watching. Louisville even finished with a better ACC record
that VT while playing in the more difficult division.
In the Big Ten, we discussed that Penn State won, due to
uneven scheduling and beating Ohio State head-to-head, but wouldn’t you don’t
you think that Ohio State, who beat Wisconsin on the Badgers home field would
be a better match-up if we are trying to find out who the best team is? After all, the Buckeyes lost to Penn State in
State College, this game would have been on a neutral field.
The PAC 12 Championship game featured their two highest
ranked teams in Washington (4) and Colorado (8) while USC (11) sat at home. Seems fine, but USC also was responsible for
the only losses that either of those teams had in conference play, beating both
of them.
And finally, the SEC championship game featured Alabama,
obviously and an 8-3 Florida team that lost the week before by 18 points. Florida, like Penn State made their
conference championship game with the help of a weak crossover schedule in the
SEC. The Gators lost to Tennessee, the
team that finished 2nd in the SEC East, but still won the division because
while Tennessee played #8 Texas A&M and #1 Alabama in back-to-back weeks as
their crossover games, Florida played Arkansas and LSU. Alabama beat Florida by 38 in the conference
championship game and it could have been much worse.
As a matter of fact, the only conference that actually had
their 2 best teams playing against each other was the Big XII, and that wasn’t
an official championship game, although because how the season played out, the
winner of that game was the Big XII Champion.
Interestingly, the Big XII is the only Power 5 Conference without a
championship game because their conference is, get this, too SMALL!
My resolution, as I’m sure you could guess, is contracting
the conferences. Currently we have 10
conferences with 128 teams in FBS. Right now, half of those teams are in the
Power 5 Conferences, ACC (14), Big Ten (14), Big XII (10), PAC 12 (12), SEC
(14). With 60 teams residing in the
Group of 5 conferences, while the remaining 4 teams sit as current
independents.
If we are shrinking the conferences it also allows us to
re-align to bring back geographical rivals and limit travel between
schools. In my format, we have 10-team
conferences. With 130 schools, adding
UAB who will start their football program back up in 2017 and Coastal Carolina,
who is moving from FCS to FBS status in 2017, that gives us a perfect number. 130 teams in 13 conferences. 80 Power Conference Schools (up from 64) and
50 (Minor Conference Schools). All
teams will be affiliated with a conference, sorry Notre Dame.
While shrinking the conferences (and growing some), we
obviously have to re-align. I chose to
do the conferences primarily based on geography, but keeping in mind the
historical value of both the conferences as well as the many rivalries that
schools have developed over the years.
It is not perfect, as you can’t please everybody, but here is what I
came up with.
80
POWER CONFERENCE SCHOOLS
8 10-TEAM CONFERENCES
ACC
1. Clemson Tigers
2. Duke Blue Devils
3. Florida State Seminoles
4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
5. Miami Hurricanes
6. North Carolina Tar Heels
7. North Carolina State Wolfpack
8. Virginia Cavaliers
9. Virginia Tech Hokies
10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2. Duke Blue Devils
3. Florida State Seminoles
4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
5. Miami Hurricanes
6. North Carolina Tar Heels
7. North Carolina State Wolfpack
8. Virginia Cavaliers
9. Virginia Tech Hokies
10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
CONCEPT:
Original ACC, with the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech and without Maryland. Every team has at least one regional rival.
Original ACC, with the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech and without Maryland. Every team has at least one regional rival.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Miami to Virginia, 858 miles
Miami to Virginia, 858 miles
BIG EAST
1. Boston College Eagles
2. Connecticut Huskies
3. Maryland Terrapins
4. Navy Midshipmen
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. Pitt Panthers
8. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
9. Syracuse Orange
10. West Virginia Mountaineers
2. Connecticut Huskies
3. Maryland Terrapins
4. Navy Midshipmen
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. Pitt Panthers
8. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
9. Syracuse Orange
10. West Virginia Mountaineers
CONCEPT:
Mid-Atlantic teams and old rivals. Notre Dame added due to their history with BC, Navy, Pitt, Penn State & Syracuse.
Mid-Atlantic teams and old rivals. Notre Dame added due to their history with BC, Navy, Pitt, Penn State & Syracuse.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Boston College to Notre Dame, 776 miles
Boston College to Notre Dame, 776 miles
BIG TEN
1. Indiana Hoosiers
2. Illinois Fighting Illini
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
4. Michigan Wolverines
5. Michigan State Spartans
6. Minnesota Golden Gophers
7. Northwestern Wildcats
8. Ohio State Buckeyes
9. Purdue Boilermakers
10. Wisconsin Badgers
2. Illinois Fighting Illini
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
4. Michigan Wolverines
5. Michigan State Spartans
6. Minnesota Golden Gophers
7. Northwestern Wildcats
8. Ohio State Buckeyes
9. Purdue Boilermakers
10. Wisconsin Badgers
CONCEPT:
Plain and simple, the original Big Ten.
Plain and simple, the original Big Ten.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Ohio State to Wisconsin, 622 miles
Ohio State to Wisconsin, 622 miles
CENTRAL
1. Alabama Birmingham Blazers
2. Central Florida Knights
3. Cincinnati Bearcats
4. East Carolina Pirates
5. Louisville Cardinals
6. Marshall Thundering Herd
7. Memphis Tigers
8. South Florida Bulls
9. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
10. Vanderbilt Commodores
2. Central Florida Knights
3. Cincinnati Bearcats
4. East Carolina Pirates
5. Louisville Cardinals
6. Marshall Thundering Herd
7. Memphis Tigers
8. South Florida Bulls
9. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
10. Vanderbilt Commodores
CONCEPT:
All the leftovers of the good but not great programs East of the Mississippi.
All the leftovers of the good but not great programs East of the Mississippi.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Cincinnati to South Florida, 780 miles
Cincinnati to South Florida, 780 miles
MIDWEST
1. Boise State Broncos
2. BYU Cougars
3. Colorado Buffaloes
4. Colorado State Rams
5. Iowa State Cyclones
6. Kansas Jayhawks
7. Kansas State Wildcats
8. Missouri Tigers
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
10. Utah Utes
2. BYU Cougars
3. Colorado Buffaloes
4. Colorado State Rams
5. Iowa State Cyclones
6. Kansas Jayhawks
7. Kansas State Wildcats
8. Missouri Tigers
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
10. Utah Utes
CONCEPT:
The remaining misfits left out of the other Power conferences. All west of the Mississippi.
The remaining misfits left out of the other Power conferences. All west of the Mississippi.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Boise State to Missouri, 1278 miles
Boise State to Missouri, 1278 miles
PAC-10
1. Arizona Wildcats
2. Arizona State Sun Devils
3. California Golden Bears
4. Oregon Ducks
5. Oregon State Beavers
6. Stanford Cardinal
7. UCLA Bruins
8. USC Trojans
9. Washington Huskies
10. Washington State Cougars
2. Arizona State Sun Devils
3. California Golden Bears
4. Oregon Ducks
5. Oregon State Beavers
6. Stanford Cardinal
7. UCLA Bruins
8. USC Trojans
9. Washington Huskies
10. Washington State Cougars
CONCEPT:
The original PAC-10. It was a perfect set-up before with natural rivalries, now it is back to its original state.
The original PAC-10. It was a perfect set-up before with natural rivalries, now it is back to its original state.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Arizona to Washington, 1220 miles
Arizona to Washington, 1220 miles
SEC
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Auburn Tigers
3. Florida Gators
4. Georgia Bulldogs
5. Kentucky Wildcats
6. LSU Tigers
7. Mississippi Rebels
8. Mississippi State Bulldogs
9. South Carolina Gamecocks
10. Tennessee Volunteers
2. Auburn Tigers
3. Florida Gators
4. Georgia Bulldogs
5. Kentucky Wildcats
6. LSU Tigers
7. Mississippi Rebels
8. Mississippi State Bulldogs
9. South Carolina Gamecocks
10. Tennessee Volunteers
CONCEPT:
The SEC with a more regional approach, by getting rid of teams on the outskirts like Vanderbilt and Arkansas.
The SEC with a more regional approach, by getting rid of teams on the outskirts like Vanderbilt and Arkansas.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Kentucky to LSU, 651 miles
Kentucky to LSU, 651 miles
SOUTH WEST
1. Arkansas Razorbacks
2. Baylor Bears
3. Houston Cougars
4. Oklahoma Sooners
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
6. SMU Mustangs
7. TCU Horned Frogs
8. Texas Longhorns
9. Texas A&M Aggies
10. Texas Tech Red Raiders
2. Baylor Bears
3. Houston Cougars
4. Oklahoma Sooners
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
6. SMU Mustangs
7. TCU Horned Frogs
8. Texas Longhorns
9. Texas A&M Aggies
10. Texas Tech Red Raiders
CONCEPT:
A Mix of the old SWC and the Big 8, basically taking Texas and Oklahoma with the addition of Arkansas, which borders both states, and has had rivalries with these schools in the past.
A Mix of the old SWC and the Big 8, basically taking Texas and Oklahoma with the addition of Arkansas, which borders both states, and has had rivalries with these schools in the past.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Houston to Oklahoma State, 451 miles
Houston to Oklahoma State, 451 miles
50
MINOR CONFERENCE SCHOOLS
5 10-TEAM CONFERENCES
BIG SOUTH
1. Arkansas State Red Wolves
2. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
3. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
4. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
5. North Texas Mean Green
6. Rice Owls
7. Texas State Bobcats
8. Tulane Green Wave
9. UTEP Miners
10. UTSA Roadrunners
2. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
3. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
4. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
5. North Texas Mean Green
6. Rice Owls
7. Texas State Bobcats
8. Tulane Green Wave
9. UTEP Miners
10. UTSA Roadrunners
CONCEPT:
Pretty much the same footprint as the SOUTH WEST CONFERENCE, but with the smaller programs.
Pretty much the same footprint as the SOUTH WEST CONFERENCE, but with the smaller programs.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Tulane to UTEP, 977 miles
Tulane to UTEP, 977 miles
COASTAL
1. Appalachian State Mountaineers
2. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
3. Charlotte 49ers
4. Florida Atlantic Owls
5. Florida International Panthers
6. Georgia Southern Eagles
7. Georgia State Panthers
8. Old Dominion Monarchs
9. South Alabama Jaguars
10. Troy Trojans
2. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
3. Charlotte 49ers
4. Florida Atlantic Owls
5. Florida International Panthers
6. Georgia Southern Eagles
7. Georgia State Panthers
8. Old Dominion Monarchs
9. South Alabama Jaguars
10. Troy Trojans
CONCEPT:
From Virginia all the way to Florida, with a touch of Alabama. Lots of natural rivalries based on locale.
From Virginia all the way to Florida, with a touch of Alabama. Lots of natural rivalries based on locale.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Old Dominion to South Alabama, 800 miles
Old Dominion to South Alabama, 800 miles
GREAT LAKES
1. Akron Zips
2. Army Black Knights
3. Bowling Green Falcons
4. Buffalo Bulls
5. Kent State Golden Flashes
6. Massachusetts Minutemen
7. Miami (OH) Red Hawks
8. Ohio Bobcats
9. Temple Owls
10. Toledo Rockets
2. Army Black Knights
3. Bowling Green Falcons
4. Buffalo Bulls
5. Kent State Golden Flashes
6. Massachusetts Minutemen
7. Miami (OH) Red Hawks
8. Ohio Bobcats
9. Temple Owls
10. Toledo Rockets
CONCEPT:
The remaining Northeast schools from New England, hugging the Great Lakes to Ohio.
The remaining Northeast schools from New England, hugging the Great Lakes to Ohio.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Miami (OH) to UMASS, 667 miles
Miami (OH) to UMASS, 667 miles
MID AMERICAN
1. Air Force Falcons
2. Ball State Cardinals
3. Central Michigan Chippewas
4. Eastern Michigan Eagles
5. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
6. Northern Illinois Huskies
7. Tulsa Golden Tornadoes
8. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
9. Western Michigan Broncos
10. Wyoming Cowboys
2. Ball State Cardinals
3. Central Michigan Chippewas
4. Eastern Michigan Eagles
5. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
6. Northern Illinois Huskies
7. Tulsa Golden Tornadoes
8. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
9. Western Michigan Broncos
10. Wyoming Cowboys
CONCEPT:
The Western teams from the current MAC, mixed with some other Midwest schools that fit demographically.
The Western teams from the current MAC, mixed with some other Midwest schools that fit demographically.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Eastern Michigan to Wyoming, 1131 miles
Eastern Michigan to Wyoming, 1131 miles
WESTERN
1. Fresno State Bulldogs
2. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
3. Idaho Vandals
4. Nevada Wolf Pack
5. New Mexico Lobos
6. New Mexico State Aggies
7. San Diego State Aztecs
8. San Jose State Spartans
9. UNLV Rebels
10. Utah State Aggies
2. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
3. Idaho Vandals
4. Nevada Wolf Pack
5. New Mexico Lobos
6. New Mexico State Aggies
7. San Diego State Aztecs
8. San Jose State Spartans
9. UNLV Rebels
10. Utah State Aggies
CONCEPT:
The smaller western programs. Lots of teams from the current MWC.
The smaller western programs. Lots of teams from the current MWC.
FURTHEST TRAVEL:
Idaho to New Mexico State, 1137 miles
Idaho to New Mexico State, 1137 miles
Obviously, this re-alignment would not please everybody, but
with my mandated scheduling rules, it allows and even encourages teams to
schedule game against former conference foes that may no longer be. Here is how scheduling would work.
SCHEDULING:
Each school would play 12 regular season games and have 1 BYE week.
Each school would play 12 regular season games and have 1 BYE week.
Each school would
play their entire conference (9 games).
Each school would
play 3 non-conference games.
* Power Conference schools cannot play any FCS teams as part of their non-conference schedule.
* All Power Conference teams must schedule at least 1 games against another Power Conference opponent.
* Scheduling FCS schools for Minor Conferences schools is not mandatory, but permitted.
* Limit of 1 FCS school per season for Minor Conference schools.
* Minor Conference schools must schedule at least 1 game against a Power Conference opponent if they want to be eligible for post season play.
* Power Conference schools cannot play any FCS teams as part of their non-conference schedule.
* All Power Conference teams must schedule at least 1 games against another Power Conference opponent.
* Scheduling FCS schools for Minor Conferences schools is not mandatory, but permitted.
* Limit of 1 FCS school per season for Minor Conference schools.
* Minor Conference schools must schedule at least 1 game against a Power Conference opponent if they want to be eligible for post season play.
PRESEASON:
Power Conference schools CAN play FCS teams as a preseason game. These games are optional and must be played the Saturday before the season starts. These games count as preseason camp, so teams do not get extra time in camp if they play a preseason game. Ticket prices from these games are dictated by the home teams, however the FCS school gets an even 50/50 split of ALL revenue intake from that game.
Power Conference schools CAN play FCS teams as a preseason game. These games are optional and must be played the Saturday before the season starts. These games count as preseason camp, so teams do not get extra time in camp if they play a preseason game. Ticket prices from these games are dictated by the home teams, however the FCS school gets an even 50/50 split of ALL revenue intake from that game.
PLAYOFF:
12-team playoff.
8 Power Conference champions get automatic bids, 4 at-large bids (Top ranked Minor Conference winner is guaranteed a playoff spot.)
Selection committee seeds the playoff brackets and selects the remaining 3 at-large teams.
Top 4 teams get BYES
12-team playoff.
8 Power Conference champions get automatic bids, 4 at-large bids (Top ranked Minor Conference winner is guaranteed a playoff spot.)
Selection committee seeds the playoff brackets and selects the remaining 3 at-large teams.
Top 4 teams get BYES
SCHEDULE LAYOUT: (1st Saturday of the season
would always be over Labor Day weekend)
13 Week regular season, no conference championship games.
WEEK 14 – Playoffs/Bowl Selection Show + Army vs Navy (No other games)
WEEK 15 – OPENING ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES (4 games) (At HOME of better seeded team)
WEEK 16 – Lower Tier Bowls + 2nd ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES (4 games) (4 regional sites)
WEEK 17 – Mid Tier Bowls + SEMIFINALS (2 games)
WEEK 18 – Top Tier Bowls
WEEK 19 – NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
13 Week regular season, no conference championship games.
WEEK 14 – Playoffs/Bowl Selection Show + Army vs Navy (No other games)
WEEK 15 – OPENING ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES (4 games) (At HOME of better seeded team)
WEEK 16 – Lower Tier Bowls + 2nd ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES (4 games) (4 regional sites)
WEEK 17 – Mid Tier Bowls + SEMIFINALS (2 games)
WEEK 18 – Top Tier Bowls
WEEK 19 – NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
With this schedule,
the season would still end on the exact same date that it is currently
scheduled to end on with the 4-Team Playoff.
Part 2 of my College Football Fix: The Bowl System will be coming later this week.
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