It’s no secret there is money in football. Despite heavy criticism the college ranks refuse to shift to a playoff formant. While this probably angers most college football fans, it certainly is good news for Florida residence. Each year there are several bowl games in the state of Florida alone. That includes the marquee orange bowl game in Miami. This year there is an additional game. Along with the orange bowl Miami will host the national title game. While some bowls bring in more money than others, everything helps as the recession rattles Florida. Bowl games add tourism dollars to the community; hotels, restaurants, concessions, etc. Two major bowl games will definitely give Miami a financial boost to start 2009.

So what happens if they institute a playoff system? One possibility is the elimination of smaller bowls, possibly even all bowls. The only bowl game would be the championship game. Even if they keep the bowl games they will loose their interest. The lower bowls and even the orange bowl will be consolation prizes for teams who lost in the playoffs. Teams who have to earn their way into bowl games in the past, would now have to lose their way into one. Overall interest in the bowls would drop, costing the communities millions of dollars. We know a playoff system would give us a clear cut winner rather than speculation, but right now with this economy it may come at too high a price.