re: Thinking about the four team playoff, how long until we get to eight?

I honestly think it will take a few years. Before anything changes we will have to get through a full cycle (so have all 6 of the New Years 6 Bowls host a semifinal). So that is at least two more seasons after this one (playoffs 1/1/2017 should finish one rotation) at the earliest.

You would also have to figure out how to handle the quarterfinal games - will they be bowls or on campus? What is the timing? If on campus, would they be this weekend, as to not step on the toes of the bowl games (and would the 4 losing teams still go bowling?) If you are doing them as bowls, which four bowls get elevated to that level and when would they be played as to give enough time between the quarters and semis on 1/1, but still not interfere with Christmas. Also, if you elevate those four bowls, what happens to the tie ins to the conferences that you have just removed?