Do You Like Apples?

How do you like them apples? Or oranges for that matter...

As expected, today was again another great one. I would have thought after getting the flight, hotel and rental car all squared away that I would be able to focus a little bit at work. Not so much. Now more than ever, I find myself pissed that there is this huge layoff until the bowl games. Shit, it's still 4 weeks before I head to South Beach.

I'm sure you've guessed by now that I'm ecstatic about the Jayhawks' destination. But given the aforementioned layoff, could someone please explain to me why the top eight teams could not take part in the first round of a playoff, say, next weekend? And then the four that survived could play the semifinals on the 1st and the final two could play for the championship on - in honor of Chevy - drumroll please... January 8?

The biggest arguments I hear are these:

1. We can't extend the season, these kids have classes. Solved (partially). This season as a whole goes 1 day further for two teams. Two more are done by the 1st and the other 4 are done by the 15th. If they are worried about it interfering with finals, we could definitely play it this weekend and those 4 could be done by the 8th while the others would not be going through anything different than they are now. As for the total number of games. You're right. If a team were to play in a conference championship and go to the finals that would total 16 games. And that is too many. But do we really think anyone would be all that upset if we cut the regular season back to 11 games? I'm guessing USC would be willing to give up their game against Idaho to be in a playoff right now. 15 still too many? Perhaps? All I can really offer here is that we get rid of conference championships. If you aren't OK with that, I've got nothing for you.

2. No one will travel to all of these games. And... The regular season won't mean anything. Solved, by the same line of reasoning. Play the first round at the home stadium of the higher seed. Not only will people obviously attend the game, but also it will be important to be in the top 4 as their is no sport at any level where home field means more. As for the next rounds, see below.

3. There is too much money in the BCS. Solved. The Rose Bowl is by far my favorite. But how excited do you think I am to watch an exhibition between USC and the Zookers? If that were a "final four" game of sorts - things change. This year isn't a great example for me or anyone reading this blog, but take last year's Orange Bowl for example. I watch more college football than almost anyone, yet I couldn't have cared less about the Orange Bowl between Wake and Louisville. Do you really think that would have been the case if it were a national semifinal. (I say semifinal because I would propose converting the current BCS bowls into the semifinal and final. Obviously this would leave one game out each year {for which I don't have a great solution} but given the added emphasis the other three years, I think it could work.)

4. What about all of the other schools? Solved, I guess. I don't see the issue here since all bowl games except one are already just glorified exhibitions and mostly for conference pride, recruiting, some cash, and some fun.

Any arguments or suggestions are welcomed. Since this is apparently just a pipe dream, I will instead resume concentrating my efforts on Kansas' vindication and my escape from the frigid Chicago weather: a date with South Beach. And Virginia Tech.

That looks almost as fun as Big D!