I can accept your rationale for opening round game being fodder for the deserving 1-seed. But I think that the schools want to make $$$. And having Bama and ND in the first round would be a huge revenue windfall.

I also see what you are saying about ND. But the independence of ND and the academies is a great tradition and should be considered in all of this. I say, make it more difficult for them to get in without shutting them out--I proposed yesterday (in the context of a 4-team tourney discussion) that a non-champion (like Bama) must finish in the top 2, and an independent (like ND) must finish in the top 3. Those same numbers can be adjusted to an 8-team tourney if you wish.
Quote Originally Posted by NCHokie83 View Post
Yes, yes I would.

Anything else devalues the accomplishment of earning the conference championship. And a 5-loss conference champ, if they ever made the playoff, would be first round fodder for the top seed, which they would deserve for finishing as the highest ranked team in the playoff, all but guaranteeing them a spot in the Final Four.

And if ND wants to have their shot, then join a conference and play along the same rules as everyone else. Otherwise, the heck with em.