Family feud
Bowdens disagree on playoff
Posted: Friday June 12, 1998 10:02 PM
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Bobby Bowden says he is too old for a playoff (Scott Halleran/Allsport) |
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (AP) -- A father-and-son coaching pair, Terry and Bobby Bowden, agree on a lot when it comes to college football.
The issue of a playoff to determine a national champion is not one of those areas.
In the aftermath of the Bowl Championship Series' confusing new formula to select the top two teams to play in a so-called title game, the Auburn and Florida State coaches weighed in with their opinions on the future of the postseason.
"When you look at the plan, it seems confusing, but I think it's as close as we'll get to a playoff," Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden said. "The only problem will be when you have three undefeated teams and they have to get their slide rules out and figure out who plays for the title."
Under the new formula, four factors will be weighed in determining who the top two teams are -- The Associated Press and ESPN and CNN polls; computerized systems; strength of schedule and win-loss record.
When more than two teams are undefeated or if there are fewer than two undefeateds and a logjam of teams with just one loss, the formula will play a big -- and possibly confusing -- role in
determining who plays for the title.
Terry Bowden wants to put the student before the athlete (Andy Lyons/AP) | |
Auburn coach Terry Bowden says he can live with the system, but he would rather see a shortened regular season followed by an eight-team playoff.
"I say if you want to put 'student' before 'athlete,' play a 10-game season, start the second week of September and finish before Christmas like every other level does," he said. "We could actually play a 10-game season and an eight-team playoff and be finished by December 23, just like in Division I-AA."
The Auburn coach said the competitive nature of the Southeastern Conference forces teams that go to bowl games to give their players precious few days off during the year. He said practically all
players attend summer school and participate in offseason workouts "because everybody else in the conference does it."
In all, he argues, it makes the season as it is currently put together way too grueling for the players.
His father, however, says there's nothing wrong with the new system in place.
"I'm not in favor of a playoff," Bobby Bowden said. "I'm way too old for that."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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