Mess in the BCS

Isn't it about time college football adopts a playoff system?

For years, critics of the BCS system have argued that the system is imperfect and that more often than not, the best teams don't end up in the championship game.

Back in 2002 Miami played Nebraska, despite Oregon being ranked No. 2 in both human polls and Colorado stomped them in the regular season finale.

In 2004 Oklahoma, LSU and USC all had one loss at the end of the regular season. But LSU and Oklahoma played for the national title, while USC was left out despite being ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll.

This year, Ohio State (11-1) and LSU (11-2) will play for the national title, despite Kansas only having one loss and Hawaii going undefeated. There are another six teams in the BCS top 10 that have two losses.

Granted Hawaii vs. Ohio State would likely be a washout and there would be countless critics condemning the game, but that's where a playoff system would clean the mess up.

Since the bowl games make generate so much money, eliminating them would not be an option. Here is my solution:

Have a 16-team playoff. Take the top two from the BCS poll (Ohio State and LSU), the conference champions from the BCS conferences (Oklahoma, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and USC), any mid-major champions who finished in the top 10 of the BCS polls (Hawaii), and fill in the rest with at-large bids (Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Georgia, Arizona St., Florida, Boston College, Clemson and Tennessee.) There would be 15 games to be decided in four weeks.

The BCS National Championship game would remain for the final game, but there would be six bowls for the quarter- and semifinals leading up to the final game. The Fiesta, Rose, Sugar and Orange would remain, but the Cotton and the Gator would be added. The six bowls will rotate rounds every year.

More games equals more money, plus this would be a far more comprehensive way to decide the national champion.

Plus, viewers will flock to see a Selection Sunday like March Madness.