http://www.kansascity.com/183/story/71120.htmlConference spring meetings can be dull affairs, but the Southeastern Conference gathering next month may be worth more than a passing glance.
School presidents will talk about a football playoff, and although no action is expected at the meeting in Destin, Fla., just getting the subject on the table could be a first step toward change.
“It will be very interesting to see what comes of it,” NCAA executive director Myles Brand said. “Whether the (pro-playoff) tone has changed, it’s hard to tell.”
Florida president Bernie Machen said during the NCAA Tournament that he favored a multiteam playoff similar to how other college champions are determined.
“Here’s the school that won basketball and football this year, and in football they’re raising the question, ‘Should we do things differently?’ ” Brand said. “These guys just won everything. Why would they want to change?
“But I give president Machen a lot of credit for raising the subject.”
Any change in the structure is unlikely in the current Bowl Championship Series contracts with Fox and ABC, which calls for a BCS national-title game and the Fiesta, Sugar, Rose and Orange bowls.
The contract expires after the 2009 season.
“We are where we are right now because of the university presidents,” Brand said. “They direct the conference commissioners where to go on this. I don’t know if the presidents will move toward a small tournament. It will never be like the NFL.
“Will it be a small tournament, a different arrangement, include more bowls? I think those questions are beginning to become open at this point. I’ll follow with great interest the SEC discussions. It could be telling.”
Cross your fingers!!!!!
