This week at the state basketball tourney I talked to two veteran football coaches (one retired, but still active as an administrator, the other still a head coach) and asked them what they thought the solution to the public/private/multiplier/plan Z mess was. They both said (independently of each other) that we ought to do away with the football playoffs, let teams play ten or eleven regular season games against whomever they wish and allow communities to host "killer" bowl game matchups. They had both participated in huge bowl game environments in the past that drew big crowds and had statewide interest (both had had the Governor of TN appear at their bowl games). They both indicated that the playoff "season" is too long and taxing on the students. They also resigned themselves to the sad fact that this probably won't happen becasue of the "Benjamins."
I know this has been suggested before, but I think it still needs to be considered from time to time. What do you think?