Brief Note on a Playoff Bracket

I love reading ESPN's Pat Forde. Particularly, his Forde Yard Dash. Every Tuesday, I look forward to reading it between two of my classes. Those of you who have read Forde will know that he is most likely Boise State's most prominent promoter for the BCS title game. I couldn't agree with him more. I absolutely agree that Boise State deserves a shot as an unbeaten team over any one loss team. Yes, even a one loss Alabama who redeems its only loss to South Carolina in a potential SEC Championship game. But, this week, Forde took the opportunity in Forde Yard Dash to promote a playoff bracket. This bus, I cannot jump on.

Forde used the example of the Butler basketball team which came so close to winning the NCAA tournament this year after winning the Horizon league. Forde argues that just like basketball, football should have a playoff. When the heck are people going to realize that football and basketball are not the same sport! A basketball team plays over 30 games throughout a season. Going undefeated through a 20 game regular conference schedule, even if that schedule is weaker than in automatically qualifying conferences is much more telling of a basketball team's success than a 8 to 10 game conference season like that of football.

It also needs to be considered how much more likely upsets are in college basketball. Nearly every week of the basketball season features a small school upsetting the mammoth powerhouse schools. And, more importantly, many great teams will occasionally lose to lesser competition, yet still end an incredible season with a winning tournament. But, think about the last few years of upsets in college football. Almost all of the championship subdivision upsets over big schools come over schools that are having down years. In 2007, when Michigan lost to Appalachian State, the Wolverines ended 9-4. While this is not a terrible record by any stretch, no one was barking for the Wolverines to be in the title game, and wouldn't have done so if you had wiped away the loss to Appalachian State. The NCAA basketball season ends perfectly with a thrilling postseason tournament. But, tournaments fit basketball better than they do football.

One final note. The column features a quote from Butler basketball coach Brad Stevens saying that Boise's schedule is different because everyone expects perfection out of them but not others, putting the Broncos under a unique pressure. I couldn't disagree with this more. When any football team loses a game in the regular season, what is the immediate reaction for all of the pundits? Oh yeah, that's right... to talk about which teams are left in the title picture. 8 of the 12 teams that have been crowned BCS champions have been undefeated. Additionally, in only 2 of the years where a BCS champion has had a loss has there been an undefeated team. The point is that the voters do expect perfection out of the football teams. In basketball, they don't.

I'm fine with entertaining notions of a playoff system in college football, though I will continue to stand behind the BCS system. That said, arguing that a football playoff is logical because a playoff is effective in crowning a basketball champion is absurd.