College Football Playoff
Four team playoff system just announced.
"A four-team playoff doesn't go too far; it goes just the right amount," said Virginia Tech president Charles Sterger. "We are very pleased with this arrangement, even though some issues … remain to be finalized."
Doesn't go too far now, but when are people ever content leaving well enough alone? When the SEC has 4 teams in, when the selection committee screws the small guy because their fan base doesn't travel well, or when the #5 team beat the #4 team on the field, then we'll see if it's "just the right amount".
This doesn't really affect OSU since the odds of them finishing in the top four are close to zero. It affects them indirectly via their arch rival, though. Meaning, Beaver fans are in for more angst since the Ducks now only have to finish 4th to have a shot at the National Title. Their odds just increased.
This is also another step in the college football death bed (though I am sure it'll be wildly popular for a few years until its flaws are exposed). A playoff will generate huge largess, especially for major programs, and with it more "pay for play" arguments (and everything deliterious, such as recruiting scandals, that follows big money). For the small guy, making a meaningful bowl just became more difficult. Why? Because this increases the number of haves. Borderline top 10 teams can now become elite (i.e. the battle will be between ranking 4 and 5 instead of 2 and 3). By increasing the haves, fandome becomes more difficult for everyone else.