Paterno Says it All

As someone who has grown up in Big Ten country, constantly cheering against Penn State, I can't help but respect Joe Paterno right now. Joe Paterno said in an interview that the reasons given by the college football commissioners are 'bogus' and stated that he can't foresee a playoff in the near future.

My favorite quote from the interview expressed Paterno's frustration and also his timeless stance as a coach at Penn State. "Paterno, who is entering his 43rd season as Penn State's head coach said, 'I'm only going to be a head coach another 10 or 15 years, and I don't think it will happen by then.'" I think it's sad that Joe Paterno is 81-years old and even he thinks the rest of college football is too old fashioned to see what would be best for the sport in form of a playoff.

I'm embarrassed to say that as a Big Ten fan the conference does not support the playoff, and that only the ACC and SEC were in favor of continued discussion regarding the proposed playoff system.

If I hear the argument of missing too much class time again, I think I'll be sick. How many students are in class from December 18 & January 7? None. Student athletes? None. Having a game the week of Christmas and the BCS Championship the week of New Years makes perfect sense, and encourages teams to play a tougher schedule as having one or two losses won't necessarily prevent an appearance in the championship.

For people who argue that a playoff would water down the regular season have to consider that a playoff does not need to be 64 teams like the NCAA Tournament where the top half of every conference received a near automatic berth. Instead, a 4 or 8 team field allows the elite programs to participate while preserving the sanctity and excitement of each week of the regular season.

Later in the story picked up by the Associated Press Paterno commented on his decision to not participate in the Coaches' Poll due to being required to vote for the BCS Champion in the final poll, something Paterno disagreed with in 2004 when undefeated Auburn was left out of the title game but won its bowl.

Anyone else hoping Joe Paterno sticks it out to 100 years old and 500 career wins?