An Answer to Millions of Prayers

The president of the University of Georgia is calling for an eight-team playoff system for college football's top division. This comes on the heels of Georgia being left out of the BCS championship game. The president of the University went on to call the BCS, "a beauty contest that is largely state-managed by the networks." I guess I could have come up with worse analogies and name calling but we'll leave it at that.

In a public statement and a letter to NCAA president Myles Brand, Georgia president Michael F. Adams, who is also chairman of the NCAA executive committee, called for an eight-team playoff to decide the national championship, with the opening rounds to be played in the four major BCS bowl games. He proposed the change be made as soon as the contracts that govern the BCS expire.

This is a lot like an idea that Bloggers alike (myself largely included), along with fans and analysts everywhere have been throwing around for 5 years or more. I could not be happier that steps are being taken in the right direction to make something like this happen.

In his news conference Adams reasoning is quoted as so:
"This year's experience with the BCS forces me to the conclusion that the current system has lost public confidence and simply does not work. It is undercutting the sportsmanship and integrity of the game." - UGA President Michael F. Adams

Under his proposal, the schedule would return to 11 games from its current 12, with playoffs beginning at the major bowl games and extending two more Saturdays. A selection committee would seed eight teams to the four major bowls and if one of those bowls chooses not to participate, another game could be found to fill the void.

The BCS is currently in the second of a four-year, $320 million contract with Fox that runs through the 2009 season and 2010 bowls. The BCS will begin negotiating with Fox on another deal in the fall. Fox has exclusive negotiating rights with the BCS.

I agree with Adams in personally believing that the television networks, along with the BCS, have way too much power and the schools and conferences need to regain control of their teams. I would absolutely love to see something like this happen, especially after such a lackluster bowl season this year. For the first time in my life I guess I can stand up and say, "Go Bulldogs!". Hopefully Georgia can use their personal experience to make postseason play in the FBS right for everyone!

This is a great topic to take to the Forums so I invite all readers to come and discuss! CLICK HERE