Finally, a playoff system for College Football.  Everyone may be cheering, but is it enough?  It is a commonly known fact that the complaining will begin for teams ranked five through eight once the top four are selected for the playoffs.

This past season it was clear who the top four teams were so it would have been an easy selection.  The questions will arise when there are more than four legitimate championship contenders.  Everything comes down to money.  The amount of money for the bowl games compared to the playoff and bowl game combination is a major difference.

What the average fan forgets to realize is the amount of time that the playoff system would take.  Teams that are in the later bowls miss class time as it is.  So an eight or ten team playoff is out of the question because it would take too long and the athletes would miss too much class time.

Personally I think a six team playoff would be the best option.  The one and two seeds would get a first week bye and three would play six and four would play five.  The winner of those will play one and two.  This would create a total of five games which would make it perfect for the big game to be on New Years Day which every college football fan wants.

The National Championship being on a Monday at 8:30pm is a waste of time.  If they moved it to New Years Day at 6:00pm like the Super Bowl then I firmly believe there would be a large increase in viewers.  It is early enough where viewers don’t have to be worried about being up super late and getting to work and school early the next morning.

The five games that would come from the six team playoff would be the Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and finally the National Championship.  This way those major bowl games hold an even larger importance then they did without the playoff system.

Another positive for the six team playoff is that there is less chance of discrepancy from the number six team compared to the number seven team in relation to the number four team compared to the number five team.

No matter what there will be complaining from the teams that just miss the cut, but if there is a way to minimize the complaints it would be by increasing the number of teams in the playoff without making it too many where it becomes an inconvenience to the student athletes.

Regardless, it is about time a playoff system will take over and it is certainly a step in the right direction.  I can see some changes being made after the first few seasons to improve the system but at least every fan can be relieved that the BCS era is arguably over.

The Preseason Top 25 is winding down, and we have finally reached the Top 10 in College Sports Feed’s countdown. Some teams will come as a surprise this week, but all of them have the ability to reach a bowl game and fight for that BCS title. Capping us off this week:

10. South Carolina

“The Gamecocks lost a hefty chunk of talent to the NFL this year, but they have a sufficient recovery plan. Victor Hampton will fulfill Stephon Gilmore, and Jadeveon Clowney will be a hearty defensive threat. South Carolina will come back swinging in 2012, and they will succeed in their march to the playoffs.”

Elizabeth Garabedian, CSF Writer/Contributor

“South Carolina’s season will depend a lot on Marcus Lattimore and his health after sustaining a bad knee injury last season. The Gamecocks lost a number of players to the NFL including Alshon Jeffery, Stephon Gilmore, and All-American Melvin Ingram, who will all be hard to replace. However, if the Gamecocks can overcome those losses they should be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC East this coming season.”

Garrett Mayers, CSF Writer/Contributor

9. West Virginia

“The Mountaineers have tons of momentum heading into their inaugural season in the Big 12 after hanging 70 points on Clemson in last year’s Orange Bowl. Geno Smith returns under center, after averaging just under 350 yards per game last season. Look for much of the same in the new conference. Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey will be two of the best receivers in the Big 12, and with second-year head coach Dana Holgerson, West Virginia will be primed and ready to make a run at traditional powers.”

Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

“The Mountaineers will have one of the top offenses in 2012. Quarterback Geno Smith will have the choice of two 1,000-yard receivers (Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin) to throw to, and sophomore RB Dustin Garrison is in line for a breakout year. The defense will suffer from the loss of pass-rushing LB Bruce Irvin, but has enough playmakers to compete with the high-powered Big 12 offenses.”

Anthony Manzella, CSF Writer/Contributor

8. Michigan

Michigan is a football school. While it’s known for other things, a lot of what it is known for football. A big factor in that though is the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry. While it’ not just a football rivalry, that’s what it’s best known for. It’s the biggest rivalry in all of sports, and even people that aren’t Ohio State or Michigan fans know about it and take sides. Michigan likes to prove how good they are, and with Denard Robinson returning this year as a senior, we all know that he is going to do everything in his power to make sure Michigan wins.”

Allie Balog, CSF Associate Editor

“The Wolverines look to continue the success they have had under Brady Hoke.  After an 11-2 season in 2011 and a big Sugar Bowl victory of Virginia Tech the Wolverines return the high powered offense that they have shown lately with Denard Robinson at quarterback.  However, the Michigan defense struggled last season and they will have to build if they plan on having success this season.  The schedule for the Wolverines does not make things easy for them as they play at Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Nebraska. Although this shows to be a tough task, the Michigan Wolverines have the offense to potentially carry them to a big ten title and a major bowl game.”

Anthony Manzella, CSF Writer/Contributor

7. Florida State

“Florida State is a good football team. They aren’t the best but they are still up there. I don’t think that this will be a team to be taken lightly this season. They know that they are good, but they also know that they could be better. I don’t think that they will go out of their way to prove that they are better but they will ensure that they stay as good as they are now and hopefully not drop in the rankings.”

Allie Balog, CSF Associate Editor

“The ‘Noles were a decent offensive line away from being a 10 or 11-win football team last season. The ACC will once again be down, and West Virginia backed out of their game this fall in Tallahassee, which sent FSU scrambling to find another non-conference game. With no strong teams left to choose from, the Seminoles will instead play host to Savannah State. Expect the ‘Noles to win 11 games and an ACC title in ’12.”

Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

6. Georgia

“Georgia’s coaching staff will serve as a hefty advantage in 2012, including Mike Bobo’s offensive position. He knows Georgia football well and can be very convincing on the field, and he will make the Bulldogs’ offense stand as a match to its high-caliber and long-awaited defense in 2012. Look for a powerhouse in Georgia football.”

Elizabeth Garabedian, CSF Writer/Contributor

“The Bulldogs’ defense is stacked, and it should be even better than it was last year (ranked in the top 25 in the country.) Returning All-Americans Jarvis Jones and Bacarri Rambo will be joined by an exceptional recruiting class to create a menacing defense. On the offensive side, the majority of Georgia’s positional starters are returning and junior QB Aaron Murray will benefit from the addition of 5-star RB Keith Marshall to an already solid backfield.”

Anthony Manzella, CSF Writer/Contributor

With the news of the overspending and overindulgence of former Fiesta Bowl CEO John Junker, the days of being a part of the BCS could be in the past.  Officials from the Fiesta Bowl were forced to plead their case to stay in the BCS coalition, but the BCS is holding final judgement until a later date and until they uncover any more abuse of expenses.

Junker allegedly spent over $350,000 of Fiesta Bowl funds in the last ten years on campaign contributions, automobiles, a $30,000 birthday party at Pebble Beach and trips to various strip clubs, while he ran the show. 

The results of the investigation could result in the Fiesta Bowl losing its place as a BCS, but Junker’s well-documented debauchery has also led to an investigation into the other three BCS bowls–the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl and the Rose Bowl.

So far, it looks like the Rose Bowl is clean, but the rumors are swirling that the Orange and Sugar Bowls aren’t exactly squeaky clean.  The NCAA and BCS will continue to dig into these allegations, but with spring football in full-swing on most college campuses and summer right around the corner, look for a decision very soon as to whether or not there will be a BCS game in Glendale, Arizona next January.

Should the Fiesta lose its standing in the BCS, several cities, including Atlanta and Dallas have the venues and resources to host a BCS game.

With the 2009 college football season now officially in the books, College FootBlog will tackle the ongoing debate of which conference is the best in the FBS.  In this three-part breakdown, we will rank the six major conferences from the BCS in 2009, and we will also provide an outlook for each conference for the 2010 season.

In our first of three articles, we will take a look at teams five and six in the power rankings of the major BCS conferences, although it should be noted that Boise State and TCU could make us rank eight conferences at the conclusion of next season.

Oregon State's Quizz Rodgers will make a run at a Pac 10 Title (google images)

6.  Pac 10

2009 Recap: For the last several years, USC has brought respect to the conference, but last year’s fall from grace left put the pressure on the other teams in the conference to step up.  No one else did–at least not consistently.  The Pac 10 was a dismal 2-5 in bowls last season and one of those wins was USC’s victory over a very mediocre Boston College team in the Emerald Bowl.  Losing three linebackers and quarterback Mark Sanchez in the first day of the NFL Draft last season proved to be too much for Pete Carroll to overcome.

After a promising start, Cal fell far below expectations, and Oregon started and finished with huge losses on national television.  Toby Gerhart led the Stanford Cardinal onto the college football map, but overall, the Pac 10′s 2-5 bowl record was very underwhelming.

2010 Outlook: All signs point to the Pac 10 having a big turnaround next season.   Conference Champ Oregon returns quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LaMichael James.   Oregon State will have the Rodgers brothers returning key running backs coming back next year, Arizona is emerging after an 8-5 record, and Jim Harbaugh and Steve Sarkisian have Stanford and Washington out of the cellar of college football.

5.  ACC

VT's Ryan Williams exploded onto the scene in '09, rushing for over 1,500 yards and 19 TD's (google images)

The ACC barely made the cut for the fifth worst conference in college football last season.  For the second year in a row, the Atlantic Coast Conference was consistently inconsistent.  Paul Johnson once again proved to critics that the triple option can (and does) work in major college football, but they could not get things going against Iowa’s defense in the Orange Bowl.

Virginia Tech racked up ten wins, but once again, Frank Beamer was unable to get his team over the hump as one of college football’s elite teams.  For what seems like the fifth straight year, Clemson failed to live up to all of the hype as well, losing five games, including one against a very average South Carolina team.  Overall, ACC teams finished with a 3-4 bowl record in ’09.

2010 Outlook: Like the Pac 10, the ACC should make significant strides in 2010.  Georgia Tech may take a step back with Jonathan Dwyer departing to the NFL, but several teams should be much improved.  Virginia Tech returns running back Ryan Williams and QB Tyrod Taylor, and we may actually see Miami and Florida State get back on the map.  Each of the traditional power houses from Florida showed signs that they may be on the cusp of regaining greatness, but they were up and down for much of the season.  Look for Miami and FSU to make a serious run at Va Tech next season.

Note:  Look for Parts 2 & 3 of College FootBlog’s 2009 BCS Conference Power Rankings later this week.

Predictions 10-4 (9-5 vs spread)

Weather will be the key factor in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl. It is COLD in Miami today and should be in the 40′s by kickoff.

Iowa (10-2) receives the services of QB Ricky Stanzi for the first time since an injury in the Hawkeyes loss to Northwestern.  The Hawkeyes are one of the nations best defenses and are top twenty against the run. Iowa has not played on almost seven weeks, the triple option is not the best warm up offense to face.

Georgia Tech (11-2) option offense leads the nation in ground rushing. Led by QB Josh Nesbitt the Yellow Jackets have put up some scary numbers throughout 2009 running the ball. The Yellow Jackets losses to Georgia and Miami (FL) they were outscored in big offensive games for both teams. I don’t know if Iowa is capable of playing that kind of game.

I haven’t had a good feel all week on this game. I question Iowa’s right to be here and Georgia Techs motivation in this game. I was thinking Iowa all week, but I have switched and am going Georgia Tech…BIG.

MTDUSA Prediction- Georgia Tech 45 Iowa 24

On Tuesday night, all eyes will be on the Orange Bowl, as the Iowa Hawkeyes will take on the Yellow Jackets from Georgia Tech.  Iowa, who saw their dreams of a Big Ten Championship and trip to the Rose Bowl end at the hands of Rose Bowl Champs, Ohio State, will try to cap off a great season in Miami.

Standing in their way will be Paul Johnson’s triple option attack that has given college football all it can handle since he took over in 2008.  The Jackets will look to continue their new version of college football’s most traditional offensive attack en route to a twelve win season.

College FootBlog will provide a breakdown of each team’s strengths and areas for concern, we will analyze some of the match ups in the upcoming game, and we will give our prediction of the outcome of this BCS contest.

Strengths:  When head coach Paul Johnson announced that he planned on bringing his triple option offense from Navy to Georgia Tech, many (including College FootBlog) thought he would not last long before being run out of Atlanta. 

Instead, his Yellow Jackets have dominated the ground game, and this year, GT ranks second nationally in rushing yards per game with just over 307 ypg.  Jonathan Dwyer leads the Jackets with just under 1350 yards, and he is averaging just over six yards per carry.  

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt is equally dangerous running the football, rushing for 18 touchdowns this season, and he is only nine yards away from breaking the 1,000-yard mark this season. 

Key Concerns:  As great as GT runs the ball, their defense has been very inept at stopping, or even slowing down, opposing running backs.  The Yellow Jackets have given up over 150 yards rushing per game. 

They will have to do a much better job on Tuesday if they have any aspirations of beating an Iowa team that depends on their ground game as well.  

Iowa 

Strengths:  Make no mistake about it, Iowa has won their games because of a dominant defense.  The Hawkeyes have the nation’s 11th best total defense.  In fact, ‘Hawks’ dominant “D” held their opponents to 17 points or fewer in eight of their twelve games this season. 

DE Adrian Clayborn leads Iowa's dominant front four (google images)

Like all great defenses, it has to start with the front four.  Led by junior DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa’s defensive front as equally good at defending the run and pass.  Just as disruptive is the linebacker corps, which is anchored by junior Jeremiha Hunter. Key Concerns:  The play of quarterback Ricky Stanzi has been great at times, but downright dismal at others.  This inconsistency could really hurt, and can, and has, at times this season, made Iowa offense very one-dimensional. 

After suffering a severe high ankle sprain against Northwestern, Stanzi had a minor surgery, and it appears that he will be 100%.  He will have to limit the turnovers if he wants to keep his team in the game–Stanzi has 15 TD’s, but 14 picks this season. 

Georgia Tech Offense vs. Iowa Defense 

As talented as Iowa’s defense is against the run, they have not seen an offense like Georgia Tech’s–not for several years.  The only team to slow down GT’s running game in the last two seasons was the Miami Hurricanes early in the season, when they held the Jackets to 95 yards on the ground. 

Paul Johnson added a few new wrinkles to his option attack and got his team right back on track.  Iowa’s hard-nosed defense should contain the Jackets better than most, but it is usually only a matter of time before Dwyer, Nesbitt or one of the many other dangerous weapons in the GT backfield breaks loose for a couple huge gains.  EDGE:  Georgia Tech 

Iowa Offense vs. Georgia Tech Defense 

Although Ricky Stanzi has been rather erratic this season, the Iowa running game has been very solid.  After losing Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Shonn Green to the NFL Draft last season, many wondered who would fill the void.  The tandem of Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher has amassed over 1,300 yards this season. 

As we mentioned, the Yellow Jackets have had their issues with the running game this season.  Look for the Hawkeyes to get in a lot of third down and manageable situations, which should take some pressure off Stanzi and the passing game.  EDGE:  Iowa 

Special Teams 

Iowa kicker Daniel Murray and punter Ryan Donahue were both honorable mention All-Big Ten by the media.  Georgia Tech’s kicker, Scott Blair has put up solid numbers as well, but his five missed field goals this year show a little less consistency than Iowa’s Murray. 

Each team has utilized multiple players in the return game, but for both teams, the offenses are built for grinding it out and establishing field position by grinding it out and punting when necessary. 

Prediction 

As solid as Iowa’s defense is and has been all season, look for Tuesday’s game against Georgia Tech to be the fifth game this season that the Hawkeyes surrender more than 17 points.  The Yellow Jackets have scored 30 or more points in nine of their thirteen games this season.  Iowa will contain Dwyer and Nesbitt for a while, but look for one of those two great runners to open up a few big runs, at least by the end of the first half. 

Iowa’s ground game will keep them in this football game, as it should have some significant success against Tech’s struggling rush defense.  However, even though the Hawkeyes are more than capable of playing from behind, if Georgia Tech can get to 28 points, Iowa will have to turn to its erratic passing game, and that could prove to be the difference.  Score Prediction:  Georgia Tech wins 31-27