Let us channel Jim Mora (playoffs?)

So I'm reading USA Today, because I'm in a New Orleans hotel, and there's an article that warmed my heart:

"Incoming Bowl Championship Series coordinator John Swofford says he will pick up where his predecessor Mike Slive left off by directing further discussion of the "plus-one" model in the spring."

In the spirit of the season, I thought I'd share my playoff plan with everyone, and then comment on the Pac-10's detraction from the plus-one. I posted it on EDSBS, but it was largely ignored, as my posts usually are, b/c I'm not in the clique.



The next step is the “plus one” game. The top 4 BCS teams (maybe the top 4 conference champions) will play semifinal games on New Year’s Day at the championship site. Fox can telecast the first game at 2:00PM EST/11:00AM PST, the Cotton Bowl at 4:30PM CST, and the second game at 9PM EDT/6PM PST.

A week later (this is a BIG plus for the BCS bowls — the fans spend a WEEK in Phoenix, New Orleans, Miami, or LA, if the Rose signs on, perhaps with the games on the 2nd so not to conflict with the Tournament of Roses Parade), the National Championship is held in prime time.

That’s the next evolution. The subsequent evolution will be for campuses to host play-in games to the BCS National Championship at the (Fiesta/Sugar/Orange/Rose) Bowl. The teams that don’t win and advance to the championship are guaranteed a BCS bowl berth.

It preserves the bowls in both existence and stature, keep the season about the same length, makes TONS more money for the bowls, cities, and the schools, gives FOX a bonanza of football programming opportunity (”The BCS KICKS OFF New Year’s Day at NOON! with a two hour pregame show sponsored by Arby’s…), and best of all (but least importantly) doesn’t run fans all over the country at short notice and gives us our playoff and true national champion.


Alas, the Pac-10 doesn't want anything to do it. Their logic is suspect. Let me show you.

"We're strongly opposed to the plus-one format," Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen says. "We don't want to be forced by seeding to play outside the Rose Bowl."

Were you commissioner in 2004? You WERE forced out of the Rose Bowl by seeding. I have video to prove it.



Texas played Michigan in the Rose, and #1 USC played in the Orange Bowl. Won a MNC, too. Also, in 2005, if it weren't for the rotation, #1 USC would have been sent to the MNC game, not the Rose Bowl. It just so happened the Rose Bowl was the MNC that year.

"And if you don't seed, you don't find out anything more (than the current model)."

But the BCS does seed. This year, Ohio State is the #1 seed, LSU is the #2 seed. They playoff for the MNC a month from now down the street from where I am.

"Seeding breaks up the traditional bowl games, which is antithetical to the BCS concept."

My plan up there doesn't break anything more than they already are.

But you know what? If you don't want the playoff bid, don't accept it. Pass on it, go to your Rose Bowl, and hope for a split national title.