Arizona State President Calling For An Eight-Team Playoff

by Jeremy Mauss on Feb 10, 2012 12:25 PM PST in BCS

The Big 10 has already tossed out their support for a four-team playoff model, but Arizona State president Michael Crow thinking bigger and want an eight-team playoff. Crow has been in favor of an eight-team playoff since January, and he recently told the Arizona Republic that the his Pac-12 counterparts are not keen on the current BCS set up:

"The reason for this new model [Crow's eight-team playoff proposal] is the model we have right now is not conducive to the long-term success of college football," Crow said.

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said the conference has not yet taken a position on the future of the BCS.

"We are open-minded, and we'll continue to look at some creative approaches. I am confident we can improve upon post-season college football," Scott said in an e-mail to The Republic.

Crow's plan is to include conference champions only and run through the NCAA and away from the bowls which he says have been corrupt. He should know since the Fiesta Bowl scandal was in his backyard.

The only problem with an eight-team playoff with only conference champions is that it would leave deserving teams out, and would likely include two conference champions who may or may not be deserving from the Mountain West, Conference USA, Sun Belt or WAC. Historically one of those conference champions would be a worthy team, but finding a second team that could compete would be a stretch in most years.

There definitely will be a lot of negotiations going on (probably for a very long time) to determine what the best playoff option would be. So get used to a lot of these trickling out.

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Crazy notion

At the end of the season, have the MW champion play the WAC winner and C-USA champ play the winner of the Sunbelt to see who is worthy of entrance. Or better yet, have the MW take over the WAC and C-USA refill with the best Sunbelt teams and just take those two and call it a day. An expanded MW conference with teams in both California and Texas might recruit a bit better. The same is true for a “beefed” up C-USA by adding two Florida teams and picking up more southern recruiting hotbeds. At least then our conference would be represented. If they get beat in the first round, they get beat, but at least they would be there and have a chance. All we want is to finally get a fair shot. If this model had been in place this year, TCU would have represented the MW. How far would the horned frogs have gone in an 8 team playoff?

by jitmon on Feb 10, 2012 2:14 PM PST reply actions

good idea

that would limit a bad blowout.

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by Jeremy Mauss on Feb 11, 2012 7:28 AM PST via Android app reply actions

Recruiting limit

Although I am a University of Florida grad, one of my there alma maters, I am happy that SEC over signing is coming to an end. Does that mean more blue chips, or almost blue chips are coming the way of the mid major? Whether TCU or BSU represented the MW this year, either team could have competed. Whether Houston or USM represented C-USA, that team would have at least been in the mix. Whether LA Tech and Arkansas State could compete with the four previously mentioned teams, or with the number one seeds like LSU is another question. I do think that LA Tech and Arkansas State would help beef up C-USA a bit for the regular season. Either team is better than Memphis!

by jitmon on Feb 11, 2012 1:12 PM PST up reply actions