Should We Change The Playoff Format

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As a football fan, I love the playoffs. The problem is that the current playoff format the University Interscholastic League uses for football is probably not the best. 

First of all, four playoff teams from each district in class 4A & 5A and three teams in 1A, 2A & 3A are too many.  There are too many 3-7 and 4-6 teams making the playoffs.  This has to stop before everyone gets to make the playoffs.  In some districts 60-80% of the teams make the playoffs right now.

The arguments other than money are that the kids get to experience the playoff atmosphere but wouldn’t it mean more if a team earned it as being the best and not the 4th best. There is also that rare case like Converse Judson last year but that does not happen often.

I also think we should do away with the 2 state champions per classification.  In class 1A, 2A & 3A, the Division I Champions only have to compete against 1/2 the teams that the Division II Champions have to compete against.  They only go Division I because they are the bigger school.  

This year, for Class 1A, 2A & 3A, the Division I brackets have 13 of the possible 30 Top 10 teams in the bracket compared to 17 of the in Division II.   When you look at the Top 25, Division I has 26 of the possible 75 teams while Division II has 49 Top 25 Teams playing. 

If they want to send three teams per district then use the playoff format that is used in basketball, baseball and softball where the district champion gets a first round bye and only one state champion per class is crowned. 

This will give a school more incentive to win the district championship and create great matchups throughout. 

Now, here is Mike's solution:   One Championship per classification.   The district champion gets in and then the top 32 teams after that get in.  The other top 32 will get selected by a # of polls (LSG included of course).  

By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com