Can the NCAA Football Bowl Season Be Completed This Year?

The upcoming football season for the NCAA is raising many questions, particularly regarding the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) playoffs and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. While some leagues and conferences plan to complete their seasons by mid-December, the uncertainty surrounding the NCAA football bowl season remains a significant concern.

Challenges Facing the FBS Playoffs

The FBS playoffs involve only four teams, and most conferences are set to conclude their schedules by early December. However, the situation is not without its challenges. Some conferences, like the Big Ten, have declared they will compete exclusively within their conference. Although they can determine their champions, these champions may not have faced teams outside their conference. This has sparked discussions about the legitimacy of these conferences' champions.

For bowls to occur, the requirement is completed conference seasons. For example, the iconic Rose Bowl game necessitates champions from the Pac-12 and Big Ten. With the Big Ten planning to compete within its conference, it can still determine a champion, although this champion might not have played against teams outside the conference. Similar considerations apply to other conferences, ensuring that the selected teams for playoffs and bowls have adequately demonstrated their capabilities through their conference schedules.

Implications of Conference Cancellations

The scenario becomes more complex if a major conference, such as the Big Twelve, were to cancel part or all of its season due to increased COVID-19 cases. This cancellation would ripple through the entire college football landscape, affecting the composition of bowl games and the selection of teams for playoff matches. Furthermore, the existence of independent teams make it even more difficult to ensure a full season for all competing teams.

Additionally, the venue for the bowl games must also be considered. If the situation in the location of the bowl game differs from that of the participating colleges, it could create logistical and operational challenges. These factors highlight the complexity of organizing the bowl season in a year affected by the ongoing pandemic.

The criticism that teams chosen for playoff games are subjectively selected will be stronger this year if playoff games occur. In normal seasons, it's easier to argue that a team like Ohio State, which defeated Eastern Michigan by a wider margin than Washington, should be in the playoffs. However, if Ohio State only competes within its conference, this argument loses its validity.

Conclusion

The prospects of completing the NCAA football bowl season this year are uncertain. While some conferences have scheduled their seasons to conclude by early December, the potential for cancellations, independent team participation, and logistical hurdles raise doubts about the integrity of the bowl games and the selection process for playoff matches. As the season progresses, these challenges will continue to be tested, and the final outcome remains to be seen.