Last Saturday showed why — once again — that college football is the most exciting regular season sport.
And it also showcased why a playoff is coming two years too late.
Entering the home stretch of the season, there are six undefeated teams, five of which are postseason-eligible.
Notre Dame saved its national title bid with a dramatic triple-overtime win against Pittsburgh. Call it the luck of the Irish.
Later that night, with everything on the line, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron delivered a clutch drive to defeat No. 5 LSU in the most hostile environment in American sports.
These games enthralled the country because of the high stakes. In most seasons, a single loss eliminates a team from the national title.
In a year with more than two undefeated teams, how can one justify the current two-team playoff? How can an undefeated team not have a shot at a national title?
This scenario has occurred before, most notably the undefeated 2004 Auburn squad that played in the Sugar Bowl instead of playing for the national championship. It could happen again in 2012.
The four-team playoff coming in two years would reduce the controversy, but it wouldn’t eliminate it. Teams still gripe about missing the 68-team NCAA basketball playoff.
