A 4-team playoff. Really?

Since the 1980's, I've been frustrated by the irrational way that a  Division 1-A (FBS) football champion is selected.  Neither the NCAA nor the sports media have been able to come up with something reasonable that survives the test of time, or even two or three seasons, without significant controversy.  During the last decade, the BCS committee has tried tinkering with the system during the off-season and generally made the situation worse. 

Now, in the summer of 2012, the BCS committee has finally agreed in principle to a 4-team playoff system, starting with the 2014 season.  They (and many college football fans) are hoping this, finally, will end the controversy.  Me, I am still skeptical.  While a 4-team playoff may look like a step forward, only a well thought-out system for selecting those playoff teams will enable the controversy to significantly subside.  I think the BCS committee should ask fans to help them design a selection method, but it appears they want to do this on their own, in a secret back room. 

This blog is dedicated to developing a rational, unbiased method for recognizing an FBS national champion.  Since neither the NCAA or the BCS committee has asked for my opinion, I hope to build consensus for a transparent method that makes sense, while there's still time . . .