BCS championship system

[Paulypalooza]

I am not a college football fan but I have to ask. With all the fighting about who should go to the BCS Championship game why don't they have a playoff system?

Even a 4 or 6 team (with the top 2 teams getting a bye as per the NFL system) system that would not only eliminate a lot of controversy but also create revenue for the schools and for the T.V. networks. I don't think the kids would mind the added exposure either since many of them want to play in the NFL when school is done.

[LagomorphPrime]

The issue is simply one of money. A handful of people have a deathgrip on a large piece of the pie right now, and switching to a playoff system would spread the pie around a bit more, possibly even increase the overall size of the pie, but it would mean they would get a little bit less pie for themselves, so they will never allow a playoff system. And these are powerful people with the ability to prevent it despite how many others in the system (not fans, actual coaches, Athletic Directors, university presidents, etc) are in favor of a playoff.

[Wook]

Basically it's all about money. The bowl games bring in a massive amount of cash between ticket sales, TV agreements, and the like. It's such a sweet money maker that things like the integrity of the sport get to take a back seat to the $$$ to be made.

[Parzival]

And more importantly, it gives the "major" confernces latitude to push out competitors. I remember when back when BYU won the national title. It couldn't happen nowadays.

[Detritus]

And more importantly, it gives the "major" confernces latitude to push out competitors. I remember when back when BYU won the national title. It couldn't happen nowadays.
This is true, although I don't think there would've been any way that BYU would have emerged from an 8-team tournament at the end of the season. Boise State is a little different story, they at least would have had a shot based on their W over OU. BYU didn't really have a comparable win over an opponent of similar stature (they beat a 6-5 Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl).