Welcome to a new age in college football, whether you like it or not. Yesterday it was confirmed that a four-team playoff format will be the new way to determine a national champion in college football, with a selection committee choosing the teams and seeding them in a rotating bowl set of six games.
Needless to say, the playoff format was a hot topic of conversation in the college football media circles. The first voice that needed to be read though was Yahoo! Sports columnist Dan Wetzel, author of Death to the BCS, who did not seem impressed with the new format. He is not alone. Dennis Dodd (CBSSports.com) and Dan Wolken (FOX Sports) have a similar take. Andy Staples (Sports Illustrated) was not quite as negative in his reaction column. I compared the playoff to the Christmas present I had been looking forward to for months, only to open it and soon lose interest in it. Adam Kramer (Bleacher Report) takes a look at the winners and losers of the new format.
The people at Nike let their opinion be known on the unveiling of a four-team playoff..
Finally. twitter.com/usnikefootball…
— Nike Football (@usnikefootball) June 27, 2012
Meanwhile, it is ACC Week here on Crystal Ball Run. Yesterday we reviewed five burning questions for the ACC. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
More links after the jump…
With the playoff format still needing some details to iron out, will strength of schedule be a key component for selecting which teams get in? It seems as though some in the Pac 12 are less than enthusiastic about the partnership with the Big Ten set to commence in 2017.
The Mountain West Conference was hoping for an automatic bid to the BCS table for the final two years of the new system, but that request has been denied. This should come as little surprise as the conference has lost some of the luster following departures of Utah (Pac 12), BYU (independent) and now TCU (Big 12). That means it will be even more difficult for Boise State to reach the BCS this year.
The wildfires in Colorado continue to force people to leave their homes for safety. As you can see in this photo, the wildfires are coming dangerously close to engulfing Air Force’s Falcon Stadium as well.
Yesterday we all got a potential look at Iowa’s throwback uniform to be worn against Iowa State this year. The uniform is designed to honor the 1921-22 Hawkeyes.
We previously took a look at UCLA’s recruiting of Justin Combs, son of P. Diddy. Now the Bruins are creating some buzz with the recruitment of high school sophomore Cordell Broadus, son of Snoop Dogg. If you think Mora is handing out scholarships to pop culture icons’ sons just to generate buzz, you might need to think again. Mora claims he didn’t know Cordell was Snoop Dogg’s son. Uh-huh. Suuuuure…
The story of Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin and the bond he and his team have with his sister is a fascinating story. Read about it here.
Craig James says that media outlets have interest in him as part of their broadcast team. ESPN is not one of them (yet). David Pollack will officially fill the Thursday night role formerly filled by James before his futile run for his Texas Senate seat. Also, Samantha Steele will replace Jenn Brown on the sidelines.
Madtown Badgers talked to Phil Steele, and any time Steele is talking is a time you should be listening.
Good old Bobby Bowden will be the grand marshal for the upcoming NASCAR Coke Zero 400.
Texas A&M suspended two players for violations of team policy. Linebacker Steven Jenkins and defensive back Howard Matthews will each serve a one-game suspension for the Aggies.
The Reddit community is discussing a rumored game between Florida State and Southern Mississippi to be played in the Superdome. That would be fun to see, no?
Penn State tight end Garry Gilliam has an interesting back story, as Nittany Lions Den profiles.
The Bobby Petrino scandal continues to peal back another layer of the onion. An Arkansas panel discovered a state trooper broke the law by accepting gifts from the former Razorbacks head coach, including tickets and a Sugar Bowl ring.
