First off, a congratulations to the Ohio State University is in order: congrats Buckeyes, you did it; you won the first ever College Football Playoffs.
But, now, it is time to reflect and decide: was switching from the Bowl Champion Series to the College Football Playoffs the right decision? At the beginning of the season, my answer was a solid no. However, since New Year’s day -- despite how butt hurt I still am over the fact that Alabama lost -- I must say, I am now a strong believer.
It just works well.
Yes, waiting for the rankings week after week was overly stressful, but in the end, the teams that were chosen were done rightfully so. Unlike the BCS, which was done electronically, a committee chose the CFP rankings. This means that, although a team may be undefeated in the regular season, it is not automatically given the number one spot. Take Florida State University for example. FSU was undefeated going into the playoffs, but it was ranked third. It is the committee that decides how strong each team is, not a computer.
CFP also guarantee an intense New Year’s day. With both of the games back to back, every college football fan out there couldn’t ask for a better way to recuperate from New Year’s Eve. It is also nice that they are on the same day because then it is known, right away, who will be facing off in the end.
There is also the notion of changing the four-team playoffs to eight-team playoffs. This should be done. Maybe not right away since the switch to CFP was just implemented, but eventually. If a playoff system is what is going to be used, then it should at least be done correctly. Having four teams is too little; having sixteen teams would be too many. Right now, it is not much of a playoff system. It is the bare minimum. Although adding more teams would make the process longer, it will allow the strongest team to come through in the end since each will face more tough opponents instead of just the two games that determine who goes to the championship. There would be more of a battle to that final game and only the strongest will make it all the way.
Whether or not the switch to more teams is made, the best part about the CFP is the fact that the final victor is determined on the football field. To be successful, the team has to actually have talent, and not just talent within its conference. Lose during the playoffs and that team is done. That’s it. Better luck next year. With that, each player knows they have to play like it’s their last game. Being ranked number one does not matter during the playoffs; you have to continue to prove that you are best. It’s a fight to the finish. When I realized this about CFP, I became a true fan.
While there are things that could have been done better, CFP was an overall success. I only have one complaint: bring back the crystal ball trophy!
