Badger Bits: Barry Alvarez opens up on college football playoffs

It was mentioned tangentially that Barry Alvarez participated a couple weeks ago in the meetings among conference commissioners, media members and BCS mafioso to begin hashing out a college football playoff format. How Alvarez got a seat at the table is still unclear. He made his way on Entourage somehow, so by comparison this is far less weird and not worth much thought. What was interesting was that Alvarez kept his opinions on the BCS and a revamped postseason to himself during the hullabaloo, at least publicly.

He finally broke the silence Wednesday, speaking to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel to advocate a four-team playoff, and in particular the use of a selection committee to choose the teams.

"I like a committee and I like a committee that might be diverse enough that maybe you have some national sportswriters in it," Alvarez said.

For example:

"(Kirk Herbstreit) is neutral, is on top of it, talks to coaches around the country. And every week you come out with your rankings and possibly explain the process."

For what it's worth, I think our fearless leader is probably right. Whatever method used to choose semifinalists will meet controversy, because it will have to leave out a No. 5 team that will more often than not be a title contender, unlike the 69th team in basketball. Better to outsource the selections to analysts that fans think are relatively intelligent, and have them give clear rationales for their decisions and actually spark something like intelligent discussion.

Computers tend to make people throw up their hands and say "gah, COMPUTERS." The Coaches Poll is a joke even to those who participate in it, and the Harris Poll is as likely to randomly select some nob like Gus Frerotte as it is a coaching legend or HEY PAT RICHTER.

A bunch of guys in a room aren't going to deviate that far from what the computers or polls would spit out anyway, and with a committee fans can sleep a bit better knowing the thoughts and faces behind their team's postseason hosing. It is an imperfect solution, obviously, but as Alvarez points out, at least we would understand the process.

Links after the jump:

Ben Worgull of Badger Nation hooks up with the Journal Sentinel for a video breakdown of 2013 recruiting so far.

Andy Baggot argues that coaches should have better warned athletes to avoid Mifflin. Or maybe just all porches, everywhere, forever.

The Atlanta Falcons released fullback Ovie Mughelli, opening the door wide open for Bradie Ewing to start.

Though not as giddy as Todd McShay's No. 2 overall prediction, Ricky Wagner still earns a first round grade from Mel Kiper.

New FieldTurf for Camp Randall!

The latest preseason BlogPoll is out. Wisconsin lands at No. 12. Also, this blog apparently doesn't knee-jerk.

Mark Titus' interview with Greg Oden will be the saddest thing you read all week.

Unfortunately, the Penn State saga isn't ready to die just yet. Mike McQueary is suing the university for what he sees as a violation of the state's "Whistleblower Act." The State Journal also points out that, oddly, McQueary's incident seeing Jerry Sandusky in the shower with a boy reportedly took place a year earlier than what was claimed in the original grand jury testimony.

On a happier note, Mike Leach did a Reddit AMA and the results were amazing. Notable: Craig James really blows, Bill Snyder is a sorcerer.

Terrelle Pryor says he only sold his gold pants to help his mother pay her rent and utilities. Your guffaws go here.

The Ohio State sex offender has been arrested for a violation of parole.

Wrapping up: Oregon's aren't that big and shiny and ... ah goddammit.