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January 5, 2009

George Bremer: Thanks Utah

Every college football fan in favor of a season-ending playoff owes a debt of gratitude to the University of Utah.

The Utes’ 31-17 victory against Alabama in Friday night’s Sugar Bowl did as much to highlight the flaws in the current system as any game in recent memory.

Yes, Boise State upset Oklahoma two years ago in the Fiesta Bowl. But the game, as entertaining as it was, could easily be dismissed as a fluke for any number of reasons. The most tired, and questionable, of those excuses being the Sooners didn’t take the game seriously and weren’t prepared the same way they would be for a game against, say … Florida.

I never bought that.

But when Hawaii was embarrassed by Georgia in last year’s Sugar Bowl, it brought the critics out at full howl. Here was a school from the mighty Southeastern Conference showing the mid-major interloper what it’s like to play at college football’s top level.

I accepted that then, and I accept it now.

But how, then, do you explain Friday night?

Alabama was not just an SEC power. The Crimson Tide was ranked No. 1 in the nation for five consecutive weeks during the regular season.

After USC put a predictable pounding on Penn State in Thursday’s Rose Bowl, ABC play-by-play man Brent Musberger wasted little time pointing out The Associated Press isn’t bound to vote the BCS national championship game’s winner No. 1.

Musberger was starting the campaign to get the Trojans a share of the title before halftime.

However, as Utah rolled to victory over the same Alabama team Florida had to come from behind to defeat in the SEC championship game, Fox’s Kenny Albert and Darryl Johnston never mentioned a split crown.

Utah is the only undefeated team in the Division I’s Football Bowl Subdivision. The Utes have beaten all 13 teams on their schedule this year. If, as many opponents of a playoff system love to suggest, the regular season is already a playoff, when was Utah eliminated?

Do I think Utah could beat USC on a neutral field? Honestly, no.

But I’d love to see them try.

I didn’t think the Utes could beat Alabama on a neutral field, either. I believe Utah proved me wrong.

The Utes also proved every team deserves an opportunity to determine its fate on the field.

Get rid of the computers and polls. Get rid of opinion.

It’s time to determine the best team at college football’s highest level the same way every other champion in this country is crowned.

My plan is simple. Sixteen teams. The 11 conference champions receive an automatic bid, and a committee similar to the one in basketball selects five wild cards. First-round games are played at the home field of the eight top seeds. The rest of the tournament is played out at neutral sites.

It’s time to join the 21st century, college football.

Utah just provided the wake-up call.

THB sports reporter George Bremer can be reached at (765) 640-4831 or george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com.

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