Their is absolutely zero chance BSU or TCU play a harder schedule then any of the other potential playoff teams. I dont care how watered down the BCS teams OOC schedule is- their schedule is always harder then what Non BCS teams play- TCU/Boise can schedule two top 25 teams OOC and dominate in conference and get to the playoffs. BCS schools have a ridiculously hard schedule then on top of that have to play in a conference championship game. Which seems easier to you? Boise State would make the playoffs every year with this system- just not fair to the likes of ANYONE in the SEC.
With this system I think you would see a lot more teams try and go Independent--just easier to get a playoff spot then go through a Big 10/SEC season
Are you seriously not understanding the logic behind this 8 team argument? I mean I know you are an Eggs fan but come on man this formula is so simple you can't possibly not understand it. I'll make it a little easier for you.
Team A plays in a BCS conference. Team A needs to only win their conference to go to the 8 team playoff. Thus team A schedules two other BCS foes OOC to help them get ready for their conference run to play for the NC. Team A can schedule tougher OOC games because it will not impact their chance of playing for the NC.
That scenario accounts for any team in the 6 BCS conferences. Follow me now? Seeing as there at 69 BCS teams, that allows all 69 teams to have a legitimate chance at playing for the NC, all they must do is win their conference title. This puts more emphasis on the regular season games because now every conference game means that much more to your hopes of playing in the NC. It also allows fans to see better matchups OOC because a loss will not end your shot at the NC.
Now we have 2 at large spots to fill out the 8 team bracket. This will consist of the 2 highest rated BCS(or whatever poll will be used) teams that are not already in the playoff. This means teams like TCU, Boise, Utah, etc must play challenging OOC games because they need to make up some ground on the BCS teams. Going undefeated gets them there. If they lose a game or what have you the scenario changes just as it does today with who should be the final at large teams. Also, if by chance a Non-AQ doesn't have a great season, these 2 at-large spots allow deserving BCS teams who did not win their conference to play for the NC. So in essence, they get a second chance to play for the title seeing as they blew their first by not winning their conference.
Now was that so hard to understand? Also, you can have bowls for the deserving teams at the end of the season just like we have now. Instead of waiting 38 days to play the NC, you would have games start two weeks after the conclusion of the regular season allowing teams to heal/rest/prepare, etc. This gives you 14 days to play your first Playoff game, then it takes only two more weeks to determine a champion. Thus we as fans don't need to wait 38+ days to see the NC, we can instead see in a 28, hell we can even give another week to the 2 finalists before the NC game and still be only at 35 days! And the excuse that its to taxing on the players academics is the biggest pile of $hit excuse ever!
