For what it is worth, my wife’s college roommate’s husband (I know, sounds made up) is a pretty senior production guy at ESPN.  Connected with each other for Thanksgiving.  ESPN always looking at playoff scenarios (include ex college presidents, ADs an coaches breaking down different options/areas).  He saw a “sample bracket” in a production meeting.  In a nutshell it is an imbalanced 16-team playoff.

Six major conferences winners automatically make the elite 8 (Big 10 and Pac-10 move to Championship Games help accommodate this).  These six teams are supplemented by two finalists from an “at-large” bracket.  This is where it gets bit confusing.  Five of the at-large are from the big-six (think OSU, MSU, Ark, Stanford and one other this year).  The other three “at-large” are “play-ins” from the “junior” conferences.  The five secondary conference winners are aligned as follows:  The highest ranked team (TCU this year) gets automatic slot in the at-large, the other four play play-in games at the home stadium of the higher ranked teams - Nevada and Northern Ill this year. (while initially insulted by the junior status, I understand it and am intrigue by Ohio hosting such a game.  Certainly would be the most important game ever at Pedan) – the two winners advance to the formal at-large bracket.  These play-in games would be played this coming weekend.  Mentioned MAC Championship is not until then.  His response, “don’t know, they’d (meaning MAC) probably have to accommodate or be left out.

The eight at-large then play down to four and then two the two weeks before Christmas.  The two finalists join the elite eight for New Year’s bowls – then play semi’s and finals the next two weeks. 

He said it is just “street level” now and has folks looking at specific areas (e.g., how to use the use the current secondary New Year’s bowls for the “at-large” games).  Lot’s of holes I’m sure, but interesting approach (and one of a slew being broken down, but the only one he was helping to evaluate).

• Auburn wins the SEC.
• Oregon beats Oregon State.
• Oklahoma wins the Big 12.
• Virginia Tech wins the ACC.
• UConn wins the Big East.
• NIU wins the MAC.
• FIU beats Middle Tennessee State.
• Central Florida wins C-USA.
• Boise State beats Utah State and Nevada beats Louisiana Tech. This would create a three-way tie atop the WAC with Hawaii. The WAC doesn't have tiebreakers and all teams are 1-1 against each other so I'm giving the spot to Boise because they have the highest ranking.

Last Edited: 11/28/2010 10:40:40 PM by Tyler

Last Edited: 11/29/2010 1:54:56 AM by Tyler

Youngstown Bobcat wrote:

Here's what a straight 16-team bracket would look like with the same teams and using the BCS to determine seeds.

Last Edited: 11/29/2010 6:54:01 AM by Flomo-genized

I know the “selling points” of the original concept were: maintaining the sanctity of New Years, while not extending the playoffs too far past the current championship game date; incorporating as many of the major bowls as possible (versus home hosts”); maintaining heavy value on the regular season, as the conference champs get a huge break, not just an easy first round game, and (where my friend comes in), not having to scramble to set up each production in a week (as you could not be sure who will host until after the games).  Agree a straight 16 team play-off is easier, but also has opposition.  This appears to be in response to some of those concerns.  Of course, we all know they probably won’t do anything for the next ten years anyway.

Last Edited: 11/29/2010 10:56:45 AM by cc-cat

Besides all the aforementioned problems, I just don't see any Prez signing off on a plan to add 4, 5 or 6 more games to the college schedule.  It isn't that long ago that 12 seemed excessive to the same group.

Last Edited: 11/29/2010 9:33:59 PM by cc-cat

Last Edited: 11/30/2010 5:45:10 PM by Evil Gao