I still dislike it, and on a fundamental level. I think it cheapens the whole the whole process. Imagine if the game against Auburn didn't matter that much, if Alabama goes into that game knowing they could lose and still contend for a title? It in the least weakens the perception that each and every game is crucial to winning a title. I do feel like titles just won't be as special once we have a playoff, because it won't represent the same level of season long excellence.
In relation to Alabama and this year, as it stands they would almost certainly not be in a four team playoff. Their SoS isn't high enough to overcome the fact that they didn't win the conference. It's nice to pretend that those both are not playoff criteria, but they are, and they will absolutely count. It is not just who ever is in the top 4 of the AP poll and they did that deliberately, to help prevent the same conference from sending two teams. Yes, there are scenarios that this Alabama team would get into a four team playoff, but it's far from certain at this point in time. Would I like the playoff to go ahead and start this year? Sure, why not, it's going to happen next year like it or not, I care about Alabama first and foremost, but I still fundamentally dislike the playoff and see it as harmful.
Finally, we can't take the short view of the impact of a playoff, we have to take the long view. If the past three championship Alabama teams played in a playoff, it's all but certain one wouldn't have won a title, so essentially what we're hoping for here is a scenario in which Alabama wins 3 titles and well, they already did that. Do we really think G-Mac with broken ribs could have played in back to back weeks against top level competition? If not, AJ has to burn a red-shirt and isn't even available this year, to just give one example of the implications of that extra game.
I think the playoff is bad for college football, and I felt that way back before Alabama had one BCS title. They won three, and the system seemed to work quite well in terms of rewarding truly deserving teams.
and we get another shot at Aubie I'll be thrilled. I just hate the idea that the loser if this game could ever just shrug their shoulders and say oh well, we'll see you in a month anyway. It's supposed to hurt as bad as this does when you lose so the wins will feel so exhilarating. JMHO
