Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Will Football Playoff Kill Top Bowl Games?

Okay, I admit it. When it comes to college sports and other things in life, I am a traditionalist.

Many people have been crying for a college football playoff to determine the “true” champion. I have not been one of them. People say that college football is the only sport that doesn’t crown a champion. I get that, but college football is also the only sport in which bowl games conclude its season.

This much I do know: there would be a playoff soon in college football. NCAA officials will meet in June to discuss the topic. My question is will a playoff system kill the top-tier bowl games?

What’s the real reason to play the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl if they aren’t going to have a direct say in the national championship. If they do survive, will we see a bunch of 8-3 and 7-4 teams in those games? It would just create more mediocrity.

The low-tier bowls will survive. Their importance will remain the same: a consolation prize for teams hoping to complete their season with a win in a warm climate (minus that bowl in Michigan).

It will be interesting to see what the NCAA decides. The people who think a playoff system will solve all college football ills could be badly mistaken. I imagine the bowl games will be a major lobby presence at these NCAA meetings too.

One thing is for sure: change is on the horizon and that bodes negatively for tradition.

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