The Wiz of Odds

What They Are Saying About the Four-Team Playoff

Tuesday's announcement that big-time college football would institute a four-team playoff beginning in 2014 was met mostly with cheers. But not everybody was celebrating the death of the Bowl Championship Series. Here is a sampling of opinions from around the country.

Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! The BCS finally has a stake driven through its heart, but bowl games and big bucks still reign.

Tom Shatel, Omaha World-Herald: Tuesday was all about the old guard going away.

Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports.com: Playoff criticism isn't a popular topic at the moment, but the little players have to wonder if they'll ever matter again.

David Teel, Newport News Daily Press: A playoff is something even Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Sonia Sotomayor could agree on.

Bryan Burwell, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: It was a great day for people who hate the BCS.

Mike Herndon, Mobile Press-Register: The death of the BCS ensures there won't be another 2004 Auburn. Or does it?

San Jose State

San Jose State is positioned to be playing in a bowl game in 2012, which is remarkable considering that the team is only two seasons removed from a 12-loss campaign. The Spartans won five games last season in coach Mike MacIntyre's second season, but three of the losses were by three points or less.

Thanks to Michael. Click the image to enlarge.

After the jump is a San Jose State season ticket promo for 2009 featuring Bay Area sports icon Krazy George, who takes credit for inventing the wave.

Central Michigan

Remember when Central Michigan was a force in the Mid-American Conference? Brian Kelly took over the program in 2004 and by the time he left in 2006, the Chippewas had won a MAC title. Butch Jones replaced Kelly and the team won 27 of 40 games, including 20 of 23 in league play. But Jones was tabbed to replace Kelly at Cincinnati at the end of the 2009 regular season and Central Michigan hasn't been the same since. Dan Enos, the current coach, has won only six games in two seasons. Yes, they're getting restless in Mount Pleasant.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Rob.

Louisiana Monroe

Louisiana Monroe's nonconference schedule likely pays the bills, but it won't help get the team to a bowl. The Warhawks open with road games against Arkansas and Auburn before playing their home opener against Baylor. The schedule eases up after that murderous three-week stretch, but Louisiana Monroe has only five home games. In fact, five of the team's first seven games are on the road.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Robin.

Minnesota Duluth

Division II powerhouse Minnesota Duluth is our second non-Division I-A poster to be displayed. The Bulldogs, winners of national titles in 2010 and 2008, were knocked out in last year's quarterfinals by Wayne State University.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Brian.

Appalachian State

Appalachian State is our first non-Division I-A poster to be displayed for 2012. Coach Jerry Moore's team is a regular participant in the Division I-AA playoffs and school officials are aggressively looking to move the program to the Division I-A level. The preference would be membership in Conference USA, but officials are open to possibly joining the Sun Belt, Mid-American or even the Western Athletic conferences.

Thanks to Samantha. Click the image to enlarge.