There is no doubt (in my mind) an 8-team playoff with conference champion spots and wild card selections is the ultimate way to go, but this post is about what should happen to the teams that didn't qualify for the expanded playoff.
Even though many of this year's bowl games have been fun to watch (including Pitt's for those who watched causally) a system that allowed teams to schedule their own final game against a rival school would be far superior.
Barring the second coming of Marino or Dorsett, Pitt isn't heading to a playoff anytime soon, but it could play a bowl rotation of PSU, WVU, or ND, or even against comparable schools such as Michigan State or former Big East schools. A 6-win requirement could be implemented by the NCAA.
This suggestion would obviously require an agreement with the rival school. If Pitt played at WVU, the next bowl match-up between the teams could be held at Heinz. It may take several years to complete the home-and-away series, but it would sure as hell beat going to Detroit to play one of the smaller Michigans the day after Christmas.
The traditional/historic bowls could be used for the playoff and the sponsorship for the rival games could be sold to companies who still want bowl affiliation. Imagine an end-of-year game at Heinz Field against West Virginia or at South Bend. It wouldn't mean anything as far as a playoff goes, but it would certainly be a great way to end a football season.
Even though many of this year's bowl games have been fun to watch (including Pitt's for those who watched causally) a system that allowed teams to schedule their own final game against a rival school would be far superior.
Barring the second coming of Marino or Dorsett, Pitt isn't heading to a playoff anytime soon, but it could play a bowl rotation of PSU, WVU, or ND, or even against comparable schools such as Michigan State or former Big East schools. A 6-win requirement could be implemented by the NCAA.
This suggestion would obviously require an agreement with the rival school. If Pitt played at WVU, the next bowl match-up between the teams could be held at Heinz. It may take several years to complete the home-and-away series, but it would sure as hell beat going to Detroit to play one of the smaller Michigans the day after Christmas.
The traditional/historic bowls could be used for the playoff and the sponsorship for the rival games could be sold to companies who still want bowl affiliation. Imagine an end-of-year game at Heinz Field against West Virginia or at South Bend. It wouldn't mean anything as far as a playoff goes, but it would certainly be a great way to end a football season.
