There is no question that the big story this week has been the new four-team playoff model that will be used to determine college football’s national champion starting in the 2014 season. With revenue splitting a concern to many, we learned some more details yesterday. Most notably, the playoff revenue-split subcommittee features the conference commissioners from the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC, MAC and Mountain West Conference.
You may have noticed that the Pac 12 and Big East were not represented on this subcommittee. Keep in mind that not having Larry Scott on the committee may be a disappointment but he was too busy spouting off the great news about ESPN, the Rose Bowl, Big Ten and Pac 12 agreeing to extend a relationship until 2026. The Big East is still looking for a commissioner for their conference, which may have had more of an impact on the exclusion on the committee than anything else. Still, Big East Coast Bias says the status of the Big East in the new playoff format remains murky.
And if you think the playoff model will mean the polls lose some importance, think again. One report suggests that the selection committee will form a weekly Top 20. Yeah, this should be good.
One of the benefits of the four-team playoff is the potential re-emphasis on the New Years Day bowl tradition. The added importance of the bowl games could be a boost to the sport and the New Years Day tradition. Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel calls it nirvana.
Before we move on, a reminder that this is ACC Preview Week on Crystal Ball Run and the odds are in. Maryland and Duke have the same chance to win the ACC. Be sure to stay up to date with us on Twitter and Facebook.
More links after the jump…
Sporting News writer Matt Hayes ranked the non-conference schedules in the Big Ten. Michigan comes in at number one was easy, but Northwestern ranked third? Let the arguments begin. As for the Big 12 schedule, it is not so strong out of conference.
Michigan Athletics Director Dave Brandon may have something big up his sleeve with the non-conference schedule in 2018 and 2019. The series with Notre Dame is set for a brief hiatus those two seasons and when asked who will fill those shoes by AnnArbor.com, Brandon said “Stay tuned.” Oh, we will.
Former Notre Dame assistant Corwin Brown pleased guilty and claimed to be mentally ill following charges he struck his wife and held her hostage.
Also, those Notre Dame to Big 12 rumors will be strengthened by this little nugget.
Here is an update on the status of the new scoreboard at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
In other stadium news, South Florida has extended their contract to play home games in Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium through 2016.
Southern Mississippi will be wearing a 1970s look for their homecoming game against Marshall this season. The uniforms were shown on their season poster a couple of weeks ago, and you can check out the uniforms on the school’s official football website.
An interesting discussion broke out in the Penn State blogosphere yesterday. Tim Hyland of Black Shoe Diaries suggested Penn State should let go of the past. It is an interesting read that sparked plenty of debate. I touched on the topic over on Nittany Lions Den in response.
The College Football Hall of Fame enshrinement schedule was released.
Duke wearing a black football helmet?
Our collective thoughts and prayers to the family of former Army quarterback and safety Chase Prasnicki. Prasnicki was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday in Afghanistan. His sacrifice to our country is a sorrow reminder of the uncertain future that the men who play for Army, Navy and Air Force all face.
