Let’s say the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl were the sites for the semifinals. Here’s how the traditions of these bowl could be incorporated into the set-up:
First, the Semifinals are held on January 1, in honor of the Rose Bowl Parade.
Second, the Rose Bowl gets first dibs an any team qualifying from “the west” and the Sugar Bowl gets first dibs on any team qualifying “the south.”
The idea would be an “east-west” bowl for the Rose Bowl, and a “north-south” pairing for the Sugar Bowl. This year it would be Stanford v. Alabama in the Rose Bowl and LSU verses Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl (no northern team finished in the top 4).
Third, I’d like to see winning a conference championship count for something but not be automatic. So, let’s say conference champions that are ranked in the top 12 are automatic qualifiers; and, that conferences can only send two teams.
Then, you’d have: LSU, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Wisconsin in as Conference Champions; Alabama, Stanford, Boise State and Kansas State as the highest ranking, eligible “at large” teams.
(Arkansas would be skipped over because of the max. of 2 per conference rule, in favor of K-State. If there hadn’t been an ACC conference championship game, Virginia Tech would be in and K-State would be out.)
For the four host sites for the first round, on Dec. 25, we could say:
Indianapolis (preferred host conference Big 10) - Wisconsin v. Stanford
Fiesta Bowl (preferred host conference Pac 12) - Oregon v. Alabama
Cotton Bowl (preferred host conference Big 12) - Oklahoma State v. Boise State
Citrus Bowl (preferred host conference SEC) - LSU v. Kansas State
National Championship Game would then be at the Orange Bowl
The sites can be shifted around, but the Rose Bowl really needs to be on January 1st.
Fourth, to accomodate the 3-game playoff, there should be a strict limit of 12 regular season games and no extra game for a conference championship.
Fifth, the exhibition bowl games are all o.k., as to whether 6 wins is enough to qualify for a bowl game might be revisited. But, they’re only exhibition games, so, as long as those involved are happy, what’s wrong with it.
But, with only eight teams in the playoffs, there will be many very good teams (as well as some mediocre teams) available for the exhibition bowl games. And, when you combine the fun of college football with the holiday atmosphere, it’s great entertainment.
Woah now. I'm perfectly fine with 6 wins. I think that's the only way my Black Knights are going to make Bowl games for the near future.