Welcome to the 2008 NCAA Mid-Winter Meeting

Congratulations to the 2007 champions in each of the major conferences!

The Playoff Our purpose today is to discuss a Plus-One Format which we strongly believe will finally put an end to the ongoing debate about whether or not the Bowl Championship Series should include a playoff.

Controversy surrounds the BCS in college football. Some call for a playoff system to counter the subjectivity of computer rankings, others argue that maintaining the bowl tradition is the NCAA’s primary concern. A Plus-One format is a practical compromise.

The current format sometimes leaves deserving teams without a fair shot at the title.

2004: Auburn Tigers finished undefeated and did not get a chance at the title because two other teams also finished undefeated, and the BCS left Auburn as the No. 3 team.

2003: USC was one of three one- loss teams in the nation and was left out of the title game ranked as BCS no. 3. They “shared” the title with LSU.

2000: Miami and Florida State played twice, each losing one meeting. Neither team lost another game that year, yet Florida State went to the title game to face undefeated Oklahoma while Miami did not.

Playoff Pros Cons Playoff Pros Cons  Eliminates subjectivity of computer rankings  Does not leave a deserving team out of the title game  Provides a “true” national champion  It would diminish the importance of the regular season  Extends the season and hurts players academically  It would destroy the Bowl tradition

The Compromise: A Plus-One Format

What is a Plus-One Format?

The Plus-One Format is aptly named as it adds one game after the bowl series. The current BCS ranking and the Bowl system remain the same; however, instead of the top two teams in the BCS rankings facing off in the championship game, the top four would be selected to have a shot at the title.

The top four teams at the end of the season enter a playoff. No. 1 plays No. 4 and No. 2 plays No. 3, both in bowl games that rotate among the five major bowls, just as the championship game that currently rotates. The winners of the two bowl games play the BCS National Championship.

Playoff Pros Cons Playoff Pros Cons √ Eliminates subjectivity of computer rankings √ Does not leave a deserving team out of the title game √ Provides a “true” national champion Χ It would diminish the importance of the regular season Χ Extends the season and hurts players academically and hurts players academically Χ It would destroy the Bowl tradition

One More Issue: The Money

Pac 10 and Big Ten both say, “We don’t want a Playoff!”

Pac-10 and Big Ten television contracts and Rose Bowl tradition: The two conferences meet every year in the Rose Bowl and share television revenues from contracts separate from other BCS Bowls. With the Plus-One Format, these contracts and this tradition remain exclusive to the two conferences.

Just as they rotate for the National Title game now, they would rotate through the two playoff games, doubling the Rose Bowl’s implications in the National Championship picture. Result: The Rose Bowl becomes more important.

Controversy surrounds the BCS in college football. Some call for a playoff system to counter the subjectivity of computer rankings, others argue that maintaining the bowl tradition is the NCAA’s primary concern. A Plus-One format is a practical compromise.

The Plus-One Format allows the Rose Bowl tradition to be preserved, while limiting controversy and giving each deserving team a shot at the National Title. The Pac-10 and Big Ten, as well as other major conferences, can continue to generate individual revenue without robbing young players of a once in a lifetime opportunity: A chance to be a National Champion.

The Plus-One Format does not break the college football mold: It strengthens it. We encourage our student- athletes to play fair. We should do the same, and a Plus-One Format is a fair compromise.

Thank you for your time and consideration for this serious endeavor. We wish all teams a healthy and prosperous offseason as you all prepare for a BCS Title run in 2008.