Here are the latest CompuDrew rankings. The first part of my playoff proposal is below.
Before I detail my playoff system, I should let you know that its biggest strength lies in appeasing all of college football constituencies: the teams, the schools, the conferences, the bowls, and most importantly, the fans.
CompuDrew Playoff Proposal Part 1
Who makes the playoffs? The top 7 6 conference winners (denoted above by a *) and the 2 next highest-rated teams (denoted by a ^). (Edited: September 2013)
Any exceptions? Yes. A team cannot capture the wildcard if they are “leapfrogging” their own conference winner. For example, if Iowa were the top ranked non-conference winner, they would be skipped because the team that won their conference (Ohio St) didn’t even make the playoffs No. (Edited: September 2013)
So who would make it this year? As of now, it just so happens that the top 8 teams would make it (Alabama, Texas, Cincy, TCU, GT, Boise St, Oregon, and Florida as the wildcard). But there could still be some changes. If the loser of the SEC Championship drops far enough, they might be out. If Texas loses the Big 12 Championship, they will certainly be out because the Big 12 north winner won’t even be in the top 25.
Let’s take a look at last year’s BCS Standings on December 7, 2008 to see a scenario in which not all top 8 teams make it.
1. Florida* (SEC champ)
2. Oklahoma* (Big 12 champ)
3. Texas^ (Big 12 wildcard)
4. Alabama (lost SEC champ game – not in playoffs)
5. USC* (Pac 10 champ)
6. Utah* (MWC champ)
7. Texas Tech (Big 12 3rd place – not in playoffs)
8. Penn State* (Big 10 champ)
9. Boise State* (WAC champ)
10. Ohio State (Big 10 2nd place – not in playoffs)
11. TCU (MWC 2nd place – not in playoffs)
12. Cincinnati* (Big East champ)
Alabama, Texas Tech, Ohio State, and TCU would not have made it, but Cincy would have. My response to any complaints from 2nd place teams? Win your conference. Maybe you’re thinking: “Win your conference? That’s convenient for a Texas fan to say; they didn’t win their conference and still would have made it.” I’ll detail next week how Texas would have been penalized for not winning their conference. 2009 Florida and 2009 Alabama, take note.
The teams will be appeased with an 8-team system. Now, a team like Boise State won’t be left out if they go undefeated.
Next week: CompuDrew Playoff Proposal Part 2, including a huge boon for the schools and fans. I’ll give you a hint: it’s good news for the top 4 conference champions.