Hypothetical 16-team bracket using 11 conference champions and 5 wild cards. Conference champions based on current best record if not yet decided. Wildcards based on Sagarin’s current overall rating, as is seeding.
USC (Pac 10) vs, North Texas (Sun Belt)
Louisville (Conference USA) vs. Miami
Utah (Mountain West) vs. Michigan (Big 10)
Texas vs. LSU
California vs. West Virginia (Big East)
Auburn (SEC) vs. Georgia
Boise State (WAC) vs. Virginia Tech (ACC)
Oklahoma (Big 12) vs. Miami-Ohio (Mid-American)
Some interesting games and some interesting likely second round match-ups. Of course, if this was done like basketball, by a committee, there would no doubt be more finesse and finagling.
Think of the drama as we waited for next Sunday and pairings to be announced on TV. Who’d be on the bubble, etc., etc.
Alas.
I have always said, the bowl games would earn more money if a playoff were implimented, because these games would actually mean something.
Auburn and Georgia? That bracket need a little work.