Seeing some discussion in other threads about the need for expanded playoffs and/or the ranking system. Personally, I've advocated for an 8 team playoff from the start and I can see it eventually going to that. I also felt there was zero need for the selection committee and we would have been better served keeping the BCS ranking system in place to choose the current 4 teams, and ultimately the 8 teams.
My question though, is how much do we really need to try and alter the current state of college football when it comes to ranking the teams and deciding who is in and who goes to the Poulan Weedeater Krispy Kreme Bowl? College football is totally unique in its set up. No other sport from Junior High throughout all areas of professional sports handles their rankings and ultimate decision making on who plays on like college football. I grew up in a time when polls were the only thing that mattered. Where you landed in the AP or UPI or Coaches' polls was just the way it was. Everything was decided by the "Eye test" of the voters, which left the entire system open to discussion, argument and heated debate. Seemingly deserving programs getting the shaft and other programs claiming multiple championships based on whatever poll suited their fancy at the time.
There were no automatic bids (Other than the Rose Bowl) to certain bowls. It came down to the committee for each particular bowl game to decide who they wanted and extend offers to those teams. Certainly, things have changed with regard to bowls and our ranking system, but at the end of the day, our current playoff system is still decided by the eye test. The committee will meet tomorrow night behind closed doors, hash out where they think everyone should land and give us their findings. And the college football world, from fans to "experts" and analysts will debate the merits of those results.
Back to my question. While I firmly believe there's a better way, is it something we really want to mess with? Aren't those very discussions and debates part of what sets college football apart from all other sports at every level? At the end of the day, shouldn't the "Eye test" always factor in, at least to some degree?
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