I've been thinking about this for a couple of years. Now seems like the time to share it.
The facts make this way too easy.
Fact #1. It's always better to determine who the best team is "On The Field Of Play".
Fact #2. Depending on the conference, teams set idle from four weeks, to in the case of the Big Ten, six weeks waiting for a Bowl game.
Fact #3. Most of the time we do not get the same teams after the layoffs. They're rusty. I'll make any excuse for my Buckeyes!
Fact #4. Sometimes good teams from smaller conferences can be very competitive, or even beat some of the "Big Boys". Isn't that right Sooners and Wolverines? They just never get a chance to play in the BIG Bowl game.
Fact #5. There are 31 Bowl games in this country this year. 15 of these are East of the Mississippi, 15 are West of the Mississippi and one, the Sugar Bowl is right at the Mississippi. Are you starting to feel it?
Fact #6. With the exception of the bigger Bowls, most play to empty seats and poor TV ratings. Check it out.
Here are the fixes!
Fix #1. We start our tournament by inviting ALL conference champions and then, the best of the rest to build a field of 32 teams. But the key is All conference champions.
Fix #2. The weekend of Thanksgiving is the start of "December Demolition". 16 of the "lower rung" bowls host the 1st round. Four regional games on Friday afternoon, Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening. Every game playing to a packed house and tuned in to regional TV. Read this as money baby.
Fix #3. Second round games the next weekend with your eight "middle rung" bowls hosting. The key is to also keep your team in their natural regions. This allows the fans to travel. And they will.
Fix #4. Third round games go to the next highest rated bowl games. Remember, keep those teams regional. It's all about the teams, the fans, the TV and the money.
Fix #5. Fourth round semifinals go to your biggest bowls East and West.
Fix #6. Take a week off to catch our breath.
Fix #7. News Years Day baby and we have One Bowl for All The Marbles. The best of the East Vs the best of the West.
Now, is this perfect? Probably not. Is it better than what we have?
Keith has been in the automotive service and equipment industry for 30 years. You can visit him on the web at http://www.AutoEquipmentSales.com or http://www.KeithShamblin.com
