Even the next president is calling for major college football to use a playoff to determine its champion.
In interviews with ESPN and 60 Minutes, Barack Obama suggested an eight-team playoff. I kind of favor a 16-team format that would allow automatic bids for conference winners, but any playoff would be an improvement over the current system.
Those who favor the current system often point to the big money generated by the bowls through television and sponsorship deals. This month ESPN inked a deal to carry the Bowl Championship Series games from 2011 through 2014 in which it will reportedly pay $125-million annually.
Impressive money, but I think the value of college playoff games would be greater. I think most fans would be more inclined to watch a game that carries a reward of advancing to the next round and a possible championship. Surely ratings for playoff games would surpass current bowl game ratings.
With fans following their brackets--like they do with the NCAA Basketball tournament--I think the added buildup would make the championship game a ratings bonanza.