Each year, around this time, I start to daydream about a day when we are able to gorge ourselves on the coming FBS playoff menu. I have taken the liberty of drawing up a what the opening bracket would look like. There are several important things to consider:
1. This playoff, as with any meaningful system, will consist of 16 teams.
2. The conferences that currently receive automatic bids to the BCS will receive automatic bids in the field of 16.
3. This illustration is operating under the assumption that West Virginia wins the Big East; South Carolina wins the SEC; Oklahoma wins the Big12; and Va. Tech wins the ACC.
4. Based on those assumptions: Oklahoma would move up to #8; Virginia Tech to #14; and South Carolina to #15. Auburn would drop to #3; and Nebraska to #17 and out of the playoffs.
5. Although they would not have a top 16 ranking, West Virginia gets in with the Big East's automatic bid thereby knocking #16 Alabama out of the playoffs.
That said, the schedule for Saturday December 11th, 2010 would go a little something like this (cue the dry ice machine)...
#16 West Virginia at #1 Oregon
A laughable season for the Big East produces a layup for Oregon in the first round.
#9 Michigan State at #8 Oklahoma
Oklahoma earns an opening round contest in Norman with their win over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.
#12 Missouri at #5 Wisconsin
Missouri's loss to Nebraska earlier in the season that kept the Tigers out of the Big 12 championship game turns out to be a blessing in disguise. That is, if you consider a Mid-December trip to Camp Randall a blessing.
#13 Oklahoma State at #4 Stanford
In what could prove to be the most entertaining matchup of the first round, the Cowboys head to Palo Alto to face the Cardinal.
#14 Virginia Tech at #3 Auburn
Auburn's loss to South Carolina in Atlanta normally would have spelled the end of the Tiger's title run. Instead, their impressive season-long effort wins them a home game against the ACC champs.
#11 Boise State at #6 Ohio State
The Broncos' loss to Nevada doesn't cost them a shot at the championship game, but it does mean an uphill climb the rest of the way. It begins with a trip to the horseshoe to take on the fighting sweater vests.
#10 Louisiana State at #7 Arkansas
As it turns out, the loss to Arkansas in the last week of the regular season costs the Tigers home field advantage against the Razorbacks in a much anticipated rematch.
#15 South Carolina at #2 Texas Christian
In a season that finally unfolds in TCU's favor, the Horned Frogs are going to have to win three additional games to get a shot at a crystal football.
There! Now wouldn't that be more fun for everyone?
