Ok CFP you win! Many have been critical of so many aspects of this new system for determining a college football champion. The name was criticized, “The College Football Playoff” because it seemed to lack imagination. We scoffed at the number of teams that would be included in the post season. Finally, the committee was criticized. Most felt there were not enough football people and too many former politicians. With a week to go before the final four is announced, there is more interest and talk about college football than ever before. I, for one, have never been more interested in the Conference Championship Games than I am this week.
So many scenarios to consider including one where both TCU and Baylor would be in the semifinals. Here is how that would work; Missouri 
beats Alabama in the SEC Title game, Georgia Tech beats Florida State in the ACC game, Arizona wins the PAC 12 by upsetting Oregon and Wisconsin beats Ohio State. In that case Baylor would need an impressive win over Kansas State to fend off the Wildcats who lurk just one spot back. Would the committee take a two loss Arizona team over Baylor? Doubtful. So then it comes down to Baylor with one loss or Florida State with one loss. The truth is, all of those upsets likely won’t happen but there is a chance and that is why this weekend will be great theater. A preview to next month’s playoff.
So would the committee select Baylor over Florida State if all of that did happen? Hard to say, but the committee seems to like the geographic nature of this week’s top four teams. One from the Deep South, one from the Southeast, with the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest rounding out the four. This keeps a lot of college football fans happy from coast to coast. Overall, the work of this committee has been impressive. They convene once a week in Grapevine, adjourn to a room and they don’t come out until they get it right.
The idea of a larger field has always seemed appealing. Logic says they could double the field and still use the Bowls to determine a champion. However, if they did that then the games this weekend would not have the same playoff feel to them. Furthermore, if they took the top eight, the great TCU/Baylor debate that rages here would not exist, both schools would be in and no one would be talking about 61-58.
So for now, no more criticism of the College Football Playoff, the size of the field or the committee. Unless they get it wrong next week and then watch out.
