Table of Contents
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) was a system used in college football from 1998 to 2013 to determine the national champion. It aimed to combine the top college football teams in a series of bowl games to crown a champion.
Origins of the BCS
The BCS was created to address the controversy of multiple teams claiming national titles in the pre-BCS era. It used a combination of polls and computer rankings to select the top two teams for the national championship game.
How the BCS Worked
The BCS relied on several components:
- Human polls, such as the AP poll and Coaches poll
- Computer rankings that analyzed team performance
- Strength of schedule and other statistical measures
The two highest-ranked teams based on these combined measures would play in the BCS National Championship Game, which was usually held at a predetermined site.
Criticism of the BCS
The BCS faced criticism for several reasons:
- It often excluded undefeated teams from major conferences.
- Controversies over rankings and selections were common.
- Some believed it favored teams from certain conferences.
These issues led to calls for reform and eventually the creation of a new playoff system.
Transition to the College Football Playoff
In 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) was introduced to replace the BCS. The CFP features a four-team playoff to determine the national champion, providing a more inclusive and competitive format.
How the CFP Works
The selection committee ranks the top teams based on various factors, including:
- Team performance throughout the season
- Strength of schedule
- Head-to-head results
- Conference championships
The top four teams are seeded and play in two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to the national championship game.
Impact of the Change
The move to a playoff system has increased excitement and fairness in college football. It allows more teams a chance to compete for the title and reduces controversy over rankings.
Today, the College Football Playoff is considered a major success, with expanding discussions about increasing the number of teams in the future.