There has been much controversy over the past few years about how college football's best teams are selected.
Many people have agreed: The NCAA should change its process on picking the top teams from a BCS panel to a playoff system.
This would ensure the best team will win every year.
Instead of a panel of highly knowledgeable college football connoisseurs selecting who they feel are the best two teams in the nation, an eight-team playoff should be introduced at the end of each season.
Each major conference winner and another two "wild card" teams should participate in a single-elimination tournament.
The last two remaining teams will therefore play in the national championship game.
A poll was taken on ESPN a week or so ago. It asked:
Should the NCAA change to a playoff style process to select the national champion? Over 80 percent of the nation said yes in their responses.
Even President-elect Barack Obama stated on Monday Night Football during an interview that he would want to see a change in the NCAA regarding this issue.
The NCAA should still keep the lower- level bowl games for mid-major conferences and other top teams that do not qualify as one of the top eight teams.
The playoff should only be implemented to realistically find the true No. 1 team in the nation.
Zak Campbell
Loretto
Disappointed in officiating
On Friday, Nov. 14, I attended the Bellwood-Bishop McCort high school football playoff game at the Point Stadium in Johnstown.
It was one of the best played games I've seen in a long time. The young men from both teams did their schools proud.
However, I cannot say the same thing for the officiating crew. There were so many missed calls and mistakes that I felt that it was almost biased against the Bellwood team.
On one occurrence, the quarterback for Bishop McCort went past the line of scrimmage by almost 2 yards and threw the ball for a long completion.
Two clipping penalties on another play were never called by the umpire.
The final mistake was a fourth-and-1 for Bishop McCort with just over a minute to play when the McCort quarterback gave a hard call, and the Bellwood defensive nose tackle moved forward but never went across the line of scrimmage.
However, the line judge threw a flag for offsides, allowing McCort to get the first down and continue running out the clock.
This type of game deserved better officiating for the kids' sake.
Daryl Clark
Tyrone
PSU getting outcoached
Even though Penn State came back to beat Indiana, I'm still having trouble getting over the loss to Iowa.
It was freaky that the score, 24-23, was exactly the same as Minnesota in 1999.
I really have one thought that sticks out: Why the deep zone and lack of a blitz when the opponent only needs a field goal? We gave up way too many easy passes in the second half, but in that last drive we never came after their quarterback.
Iowa passed effectively with and against the wind; we didn't. I just don't understand the mentality of the coaches.
Since '94, I have never seen us outcoach the other guy. That was Joe's trademark for years (except against the Bear).
What has gone wrong?
We can't continue to be the giant that gets knocked off.
When do we get to be the giant slayer again?
Steve Abrams
Los Angeles
Hit the mute button
Does anyone know whose bright idea it was to put screaming Hank Williams on Monday Night Football?
We need him like we need a hole in the head.
Lucky for me, I take advantage of my volume control when he is on.
Marty Turnbaugh
Tyrone
