Marvelous Mariota Takes Home jasathletics College Football MVP Award

Last night I am sure that, as Marcus Mariota claimed the Heisman Trophy, many wondered if he would also claim the top individual prize in college football. Even Mariota himself probably pondered the prospect of joining the most exclusive club in college football – those that have won both the jasathletics College Football MVP award and the Heisman Trophy. Until now, that prestigious club was only occupied by a couple of quarterbacks from the state of Texas, but I am pleased to announce that the quarterback from Hawaii by way of Oregon Marcus Mariota is now part of that list as he is indeed the 2014-2015 jasathletics College Football MVP.

At the end of the day, it is really about the statistics and Mariota’s did not disappoint. This year he threw for 3,783 yards and 38 TDs, rushed for 669 yards and 14 TDs, and even caught one pass for 26 yards and a TD. These are certainly impressive statistics. Even more impressive though is what he didn’t do. He didn’t throw many balls that were intercepted. Only two ended up in the hands of the other team. This is the second time in four years that a running back from Wisconsin has come up just short in his quest for the top individual prize in college football. The way that Wisconsin produces good running backs though I am sure that one will eventually win. However, this year’s crown belongs to Marcus Mariota. He has been a contender for this award for a few years now, and jasathletics would like to commend him for his perseverance and patience because it has finally paid off.

No Practice Stroke, Keep Your Head Down, Make More Putts

It was August of 2012 and I was at Enger Park Golf Course in Duluth, MN. For most of the day I had struggled with the flat stick. I knew that I needed to make an adjustment. I had heard a golf commentator note that Rory McIlroy doesn’t take a practice stroke when putting and that this frees him up to just hit the ball without thinking too much. I also realized that I had strayed from one of my regular putting keys. Namely, keeping my head down until well after the golf ball has left the blade. This helps keep your putting stroke on line. I had taken this putting tip from Gary Player a few years before. With only a few holes left to go at Enger, I decided to implement both. Right away I holed a solid putt of about 12 feet and I haven’t looked back.

Over the last few years it definitely seems like I have putted better. However, as a statistician, I find that it is necessary to see if this is really the case by looking at the numbers. So it is good that I keep detailed records with regards to my golf game. I started keeping track of putts per round in 2010. From the beginning of 2010 through that round at Enger in 2012 I played 63 rounds of golf and had an average of 33.9 putts per round. Since I implemented the aforementioned putting adjustments, I have played 71 rounds of golf and have an average of 31.5 putts per round over that span. On the surface, it looks like the putting adjustments have paid dividends as my average putts per round has decreased by 2.4 after implementing the adjustments. Once again, as a statistician, I find it necessary to dive deeper and make sure that this improvement in putting average is not due to random chance but is indeed statistically significant.

So, let’s consider the following pair of hypotheses: (1) Null Hypothesis: The putting adjustment did not improve my putting, and (2) Alternative Hypothesis: The putting adjustment did improve my putting. By the Central Limit Theorem, average putts per round approximately follows a normal distribution. This is important because it allows us to determine the probability of observing an average of 31.5 putts per round or lower given that the status quo for me was 33.9 putts per round. The probability of observing an average of 31.5 putts per round or less is the same as the probability that a standard normal random variable is less than -6.74, which is the number we obtain after standardizing 31.5 by subtracting the mean under the null hypothesis of 33.9 and dividing by the standard deviation. (Note: sample standard deviation was used in the calculation which usually means that a t-distribution should be used. However, the sample size of 71 is large enough to justify using a normal distribution.) Those familiar with statistics will recognize that the probability of a standard normal random variable being less than or equal to -6.74 is essentially 0. It follows that the probability of observing an average of 31.5 putts per round under the null hypothesis is essentially 0. Therefore we can reject the null hypothesis and conclude that the adjustments did lead to a statistically significant improvement in my putting.

In conclusion, putts per round is probably not the best stat to measure putting prowess. In fact, the PGA Tour uses the stat strokes-gained-putting as its main way to measure who the best putters are. This is because a good ball striker could have more putts per round when compared with a less skilled ball striker just because he hits more greens in regulation and as a result is usually putting from farther away than someone that misses greens and chips on. Putts per round also depends on green size. If you play a course that has small greens you will most likely have less putts per round than someone that plays a course with larger greens for the same reasons that prevail in the good and bad ball striker argument. Based off the available data though, it appears that, if you want to improve your putting, give up the practice strokes and keep your head down until well after the ball has been struck. (I must admit that the latter can be difficult as I have even strayed from it at times over the last couple of years.) 

Northeast Minnesota Nine-Hole Gems: Ely Golf Club

It was probably a decade or so since the last time I played Ely Golf Club. I remembered it as a solid nine-hole track and, after playing it last week, I can confirm that it is indeed a “Northeast Minnesota Nine-Hole Gem.”

The course is set just south of downtown Ely. One of this course’s main characteristics is how hilly it is. A golfer nary has a flat lie as many holes play significantly uphill or downhill. Not only that, some of the fairways cant significantly to the right or left. One of the flatter holes (the second shot still plays downhill) on the course is the opener. The par four first hole is straight for most of the way but starts to bend to the right some near the tee shot landing area. Unless a golfer blasts his tee shot, he will certainly be left with a somewhat blind approach shot as there is a tree that guards the green. A well struck iron should easily carry over the tree though. The second hole bends just slightly from left to right. For a right-hander like myself that likes to hit a baby fade with the big stick, I can’t think of another tee shot that sets up more beautifully. The third hole is a truly great par five that plays significantly downhill to the bottom of what I would characterize as a wide valley. The tee shot is wide enough to allow one to hit driver. However, laying up with a fairway wood or an iron is not a terrible idea either as this is a short par five. The second shot gives a golfer many options, which is what makes this such a great hole. A safe option is to layup at the corner of the dogleg (this hole bends to the left about 130 yards from the green) and leave a short approach shot. One cannot be haphazard with this approach shot though as the ideal landing area is small. Too short or too long and a golfer will have to contend with trees on his third. Even with a successful layup, a golfer still has a lot of work left. This is because the green has three tiers and putting an approach shot on the proper tier takes some skill. The other option is to go for the green in two by carrying the trees and pond on the corner of the dogleg. Since the trees on the dogleg are not that tall and the green is well below where the golfer is hitting from, even a golfer with a somewhat low ball flight should easily carry the trees. The fourth hole is the first par three. It plays from an elevated tee and requires a well-struck mid or short iron. Since there is water along the left side of the hole, the best place to miss is short and right. From the fourth green, a golfer can already see that the par four fifth hole plays significantly uphill. Not only that, it doglegs to the left quite a bit. All that a golfer needs off the tee is a solid long iron or fairway wood to the top of the hill, which leaves only a short iron approach. The big hitter with a high ball flight (which I am not) could try to hit it over the trees on the corner of the dogleg. Also, the golfer with a predictable draw (or predictable fade if you are left-handed) could try to bend their tee shot around the corner. However, I don’t find that the reward is enough to take on the risk of either of those shots. The sixth hole is a par four that plays downhill and bends to the right some. The tee shot on this hole is very tight. Unless a golfer has extreme confidence in his driver or fairway woods, I strongly suggest hitting an iron off the tee. Even with an iron it is easy to leak it a little right or left and be in the woods. The seventh hole is a much needed reprieve in the middle of a stretch of difficult holes. It is a short par three that only requires a small flip wedge off the tee. Leaving with anything worse than a par will certainly anger most golfers. The eighth hole is a par five that plays downhill off the tee and then well uphill on the second. The tee shot is somewhat tight, which makes long iron a smart play. This is especially the case because, even with a well-struck driver, most golfers will not be able to get near the green in two because the hole bends significantly to the left at about 150 yards from the green and, as a result, would require a golfer to bend his shot a large amount to the left. A golfer looking to finish off his round with a good score at the last is not done any favors. The ninth hole can only be characterized as a beast of a hole. It is a par four that is well over four hundred yards long, somewhat tight, doglegs to the left, and plays to an elevated green, which makes the hole feel even longer than what is listed on the card. My approach on this hole is to go the conservative route (which is my approach on a lot of holes). That is, I hit a long iron off the tee, layup with a short iron, and then hit a wedge on the green. This approach to the hole puts a lot of strain on a golfer’s short game. Not only that, the layup is tough because the fairway slopes significantly from right to left in the landing area. However, for a short driver of the ball like myself, even a well-struck driver leaves a long uphill approach shot. At the end of the day, no matter how one plays it, the ninth is just a tough hole that I am sure has ruined many good rounds of golf.

Overall, Ely Golf Club is a solid and challenging nine-hole track set on beautiful, hilly terrain. It tests all facets of a golfer’s game and will leave any golfer feeling like they have accomplished something if the score on the card at the end of the day is a good one. So, if you happen to find yourself playing The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, consider taking a drive up Highway 169 to play Ely Golf Club.

Course Statistics for 18 Holes:

(White Tees)

Length: 6286 yards Par: 72 Rating: 70.6 Slope Rating: 120

(Blue Tees)

Length: 6536 yards Par: 72 Rating: 71.6 Slope Rating: 122

The Art of Courtship

The process of courtship is an endeavor that most men hope to eventually engage in. The problem is that a lot of men have no idea about how to proceed down the road of courtship. I think most men make the process too difficult. So, I suggest the following plan of attack to keep things as simple as possible.

There are many ways that a man could initiate the process of courtship. The way I see it though, there is only one way to start out, and that is by saying to a female, “I am interested in engaging in the process of courtship with you. Do you accept this offer?” After she says “Yes”, as this is a statement that is sure to pull at the heartstrings of any female, you need to decide quickly how to respond. Since simple is the way to go, I suggest going with one of three options. (The only way that you could get a response of “No” is if the female is already in a relationship. To make sure this doesn’t happen, take a quick glance at her left hand. If the left ring finger is clear, you then just need to determine whether or not she has a boyfriend. If you are confident that she doesn’t have a boyfriend, I suggest going straight to the proposition listed above. If you are not confident, I suggest using a subtle lead-in question such as “Do you expect that a man will place jewelry on your left hand anytime soon?” to give you a little more information about whether or not she has a boyfriend.)

If you think this is a classy lady looking for a classy gentleman, respond, “Excellent. You can expect a cellist, roses, and eggs benedict at sunrise.” A few more months of classiness like this and you will surely be on the way to your local jewelry store my friend.

A more laid-back female might find the statement in the last paragraph to be a classic example of “coming on too strong” and in rare cases could get you a restraining order. So, for the more laid-back female that might not be looking for a serious relationship right away, respond, “Cool, cool. I’ll catch you later baby.” (Hand female your phone number as you say this and then promptly walk away.) This may seem like a risk because she will have your phone number and you will not have her number. But trust me, in a couple of days, you will get a text asking, “What are you up to?” You will respond to this by saying, “Just playing it cool baby. You know my style.” A few more weeks of texting where you use “baby” and “cool” plenty of times and Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” will surely be off her playlist my friend. (It should be noted that even the most laid-back female might be bothered by the fact that she never actually sees you and wondering why you are always “playing it cool.” If you sense that this is the case, send a text saying, “Baby, you’re so hot, I can’t help but play it cool.” This text is sure to set your relationship back on track.)

So far we have covered the extreme ends of the spectrum. Let’s finish by covering what to do when you encounter a female that falls somewhere in the middle. With the midrange female, you will want to respond, “Great. Would you like to go to a malt shop?” After she responds “Yes”, as this is a proposition that any midrange female will find hard to resist, you may think that you have gotten past the difficult part. However, it is not the 1950s. So, finding a genuine malt shop can be difficult. (Trust me, Dairy Queen and Culver’s just don’t work.) There is no doubt in my mind that the lack of malt shops has derailed many a man’s chances with a midrange female. Once you find that malt shop though, you will certainly be on one knee in only a few months my friend.

Now that you have been enlightened on the finer points of courtship, get out there and make it happen. And remember, always take a peek at the left hand and always keep a list of the closest malt shops in your pocket. (It doesn’t hurt to know a good cellist either.)

Northeast Minnesota Nine-Hole Gems: Silver Bay Golf Course

The first time Silver Bay Golf Course and I crossed paths was in 2004. However, I truly became smitten with this nine-hole layout set in the hills just a few miles from the coast of Lake Superior in 2011 when I played it for a second time. I was smitten not just because the course is in a beautiful setting, but because it really is a well-kept, solid test of golf. Since it had been a few years since I had played Silver Bay, I decided that it was time to get back to there.

Much like The Retreat in Floodwood, Silver Bay Golf Course doesn’t seem to be overly busy, which always makes for an enjoyable round. The first hole is a solid par four that bends just slightly to the right. The best play on this hole is to aim down the left side of the fairway as the right rough slopes steeply down and to the right making for an awkward lie and stance. The par three second requires a well struck mid or short iron to a green that is guarded by bunkers. There is a steep slope behind this green that propels any shot hit long into the woods. So, when in doubt, choose the shorter club. After the second hole a golfer needs to take a little bit of a walk past the clubhouse and first tee to get to the third. The third tee box is set well above the fairway for this par four that bends from right to left and provides a beautiful view of most of the rest of the golf course as well as of the surrounding hills. The bold play is to cut the corner of the dogleg with a driver, which requires one to hit over a pond. A well struck tee ball could give a golfer a chance of driving the green. The safer play is to hit an iron or fairway wood down the fairway. With this approach off the tee, a golfer needs to be careful to not go down the left side of the fairway because this could leave one with an obstructed view of the green due to trees on the corner of the dogleg. The fourth is what I would call a “quirky” par five. It is only 432 yards, which is just seven yards longer than the fifth, a par four. But, it plays well up hill and bends to the right at almost a ninety degree angle. To be able to advance a ball reasonably far on the second shot, a golfer needs to hit his tee ball down the left. The right side is not terrible though since it is such a short par five. On my second nine, I found out first hand that one can only hit a short pitch shot up the hill from the right rough, but this still leaves a golfer with only a short iron or wedge in hand. As was alluded to before, the fifth is a somewhat long par four at 425 yards. It plays downhill though and bends from right to left. The ideal play is to hit over the trees on the left and shave off some of the dogleg. Long hitters need to be careful not to hit their ball too long as the Beaver River, which meanders through the course crossing initially in front of the fourth tee, cuts across this hole about 273 yards from the tee. (The really long hitter might be able to carry the river though.) The sixth is a straight par five that plays uphill. The Beaver River cuts across this hole as well. However, as long as a golfer puts a halfway decent strike on the ball, the river should be carried easily. The seventh hole is a straight par four that runs parallel, in the opposite direction, to the previous hole. It is not too long. So, the best play is to hit an iron down the fairway which leaves only a short iron or wedge approach. The eighth is a shorter par three that plays over the river (Barring an absolutely terrible shot, the river should not come into play here either), and has a green that is guarded by a couple of bunkers. With a short iron in hand, a golfer should be able to attack the pin on this par three. The finisher at Silver Bay is a stout par four that plays straight away. It is also probably the tightest hole off the tee, which can make club choice difficult (Not for me, as I automatically choose the safe route of iron off the tee. During my last round it didn’t hurt me though as I went birdie-par on my two nines. I should mention that it was playing down wind and my birdie was a chip-in, but nevertheless). However, a finishing hole should force a golfer to prove his merit one last time, and the ninth at Silver Bay certainly does that.

When all is accounted for, I have to say that Silver Bay is my favorite nine-hole course. Not just because of the beautiful setting which includes the surrounding hills as well as the Beaver River, but because it is a well-maintained layout that examines a golfer’s abilities both physical and mental. It has holes that are tough, holes that give a golfer a chance to score, and holes that present risk-reward opportunities. It really is the complete package. So, if you ever find yourself playing golf on the North Shore with Superior National presumably as the focus of your trip, make sure to make stop at Silver Bay Golf Course. Also, if you live in the greater Duluth area, a day trip to just play Silver Bay is not a bad idea either.

Course Statistics for 18 Holes (Blue Tees):

Length: 6346 yards Par: 72 Rating: 70.8 Slope Rating: 128

Northeast Minnesota Nine-Hole Gems: The Retreat Golf Course

Having lived most of my life in northeast Minnesota I have had the privilege of playing some of the best courses in the region. For people from outside this region, and even in this region, the three courses that most likely come to mind first are the two at Giants Ridge and The Wilderness at Fortune Bay. Certainly those are three of the better public courses in the country and I recommend playing them if you haven’t before, but the great nine-hole courses in this part of the greatest state in the Union should not be overlooked. This is because they offer quality golf at a reasonable price. Over the next few months I plan on featuring a few of my favorite nine-hole tracks in my “Northeast Minnesota Nine-Hole Gems” series of articles. Today we will start with The Retreat Golf Course in Floodwood.

The main reason why I am starting with The Retreat is that I recently became a member. They were offering a deal that I just couldn’t pass up: $175 for a season pass for first-time members. Although Floodwood is the closest city, The Retreat is actually located about eight miles before Floodwood, if you are coming from Duluth, right on US Highway 2. This somewhat remote location leads to this course not being too busy – even on weekends.

At The Retreat, the first four holes are where a golfer needs to “make hay” as I like to say. The first is a par five measuring 511 yards from the black tees. This is a great opening hole because it gives you the opportunity to hit driver without fear of losing a ball as it is wide open. The second shot (or third shot depending on how far you hit your tee ball) plays considerably downhill. When the course is dry this hole is reachable in two with a solid drive and solid second with a long iron or fairway wood even for people that don’t hit the ball extremely far. Even a couple of so-so shots should leave a golfer with a short iron or wedge in hand for their third. The second hole is a short par four that could be reached by some with a solid driver. I like to knock a long iron down the fairway, which usually leaves me with a wedge in hand. The green slopes quite a bit from right to left. So, ideally, one would like to land their approach a little right of the hole and let it feed down. The third is another par five that is potentially reachable in two with a couple of solid blows, which makes it another great scoring opportunity. On the fourth, the aggressive play is to hit driver over the bunkers on the left, which leaves only a pitch shot into the green on this relatively short par four. Hitting a solid long iron or fairway wood down the center of the fairway to the right of the bunkers is not a bad option either though. On the approach shot to the green a golfer needs to be very conscious of where the pin is located because there is a ridge that runs diagonally through the back left portion of the green and putting from the wrong side of the ridge will lead to a three putt more times than not. If you have not “made hay” on these first four holes, which are the easiest holes to score on at The Retreat, your score could be in rough shape after playing “Hell’s Corner.”

“Hell’s Corner” consists of the fifth through seventh holes. It is not necessarily the case that these holes are extremely tough. They can just be severely penalizing if you miss your shot in the wrong spot. The fifth hole is a relatively short par four that only requires a long iron or fairway wood off the tee. What makes this hole tough is the out-of-bounds down the left side and the pond that encroaches on the right side. The aggressive play off the tee is to try to carry the left edge of the pond. If successful you are left with only a pitch shot into the green. Even laying up a little further to the left should only leave a short iron approach. The challenge only begins with the tee shot though as the fifth hole bends severely to the right, which requires you to hit over the same pond that comes into play off the tee on your approach to the green. The narrow green that slopes from back to front is also guarded by two bunkers – one in front and one in back – and can be very hard to hit even with a wedge in hand. The sixth hole is a par three that plays uphill to a flat green that is cut from the side of a hill. The ideal play is to aim at the left side of the green. This is because there is a hillside to the left of the green that usually repels a ball onto the green. You also want to favor the left side of the green because missing right can leave you in a bad spot as there is a steep slope just right of the green. As long as you don’t miss right, you should have a good chance to make par on this hole. Missing right can bring big numbers into play though. The seventh hole is probably the toughest hole on the course. It is a 407 yard par four that requires you to hit a solid tee shot over a river. The second shot is not any easier as it plays uphill to a small two-tiered green, and without a solid tee shot, it is not even possible to reach the green in two. From my experience, it seems that most of the time a golfer is left with a delicate uphill pitch shot from just short of the green. Finding the right level of the green is crucial on this pitch shot as three-putts and double bogeys are likely when putting from the wrong level.

As a golfer exits “Hell’s Corner” the task does not get much easier. The eighth is a long par three that plays downhill. The left edge of the green is guarded by a pond, which leads to many a bail-out to the right. Missing the green to the right is not too bad if the pin is on the left side of the green or even in the middle of the green. However, it can be tough to get up-and-down from this position if the pin is on the right side of the green. The finishing hole is a par four that goes in a ninety degree angle to the right. Because of this, the ideal tee shot moves left to right. After the tee shot, one is usually left with a mid to long iron from a lie that slopes from left to right. The way to play the approach is to aim at the left side of the green and let this lie do the work of moving the ball left to right.

   

Overall, The Retreat is a course that offers some solid scoring opportunities, but at same time, it is challenging enough that you feel that you have indeed played well if you have posted a good number at the end of the day. Not only that, it does not put a strain on your billfold as an eighteen hole round only costs $22, and as was mentioned earlier, a season pass for first-timers is only $175. So, if you are in the greater Duluth area with your clubs, don’t miss the opportunity to play this nine-hole gem.

Course Statistics for 18 Holes (Black Tees):

Length: 6234 yards  Par: 72  Rating: 71.4  Slope Rating: 124

The Pinehurst Prediction

1999 Pinehurst No. 2. 2002 Bethpage Black. 2004 Shinnecock Hills. 2006 Winged Foot. 2009 Bethpage Black. 2013 Merion. Six second place finishes. It doesn’t seem possible. Phil Mickelson has dominated the U.S. Open over the last 15 years. The only problem is, every time the trophy has been presented, someone else has hoisted it. His last second place finish this past June at historic Merion was particularly tough. This is because he turned 43 on the day of the final round and history tells us that as a golfer approaches his mid to late forties his production goes down and, in particular, his chances of winning a major diminish rapidly. Even the most optimistic Phil Mickelson fan was left to wonder if Merion was his last real shot to win a U.S. Open. Maybe it was even his last real shot to win a major (well, not really, I fully expect him to contend at Augusta into his 50s, health permitting). It just didn’t seem right that a player of Phil Mickelson’s caliber would finish with only 4 majors and only 2 legs of the grand slam. He deserves to have that third leg. He deserves to have won one of those 6 U.S. Opens he came so close in.

Then something interesting happened. Something that the optimistic Phil Mickelson fan would only dare to dream about on rare occasions. He won the Open Championship. He now has 3 legs of the grand slam. Just not the 3 legs that people expected him to get since he has struggled for many years in the Open Championship. Phil Mickelson with 3 legs of the grand slam including the Claret Jug. That is enough to give any Phil Mickelson fan goosebumps. But what really sent shivers down my spine, and probably down the spine of many a golf fan, not just Phil Mickelson fans, is realizing where the 2014 U.S. Open is going to be played, Pinehurst No. 2.

Pinehurst No. 2 is where it all started. The site of the first of 6 second place finishes in the U.S. Open for Phil Mickelson. Not only that, the man that came in first that year was Payne Stewart. Stewart made a long putt on the final hole to beat Mickelson. After holing this putt, Stewart proceeded to keep Phil’s mind in perspective by reminding him that he was going to be a father soon (Phil’s first child was born the day after that U.S. Open). What makes all of this even more improbable is the fact that Payne Stewart passed away later that year in a plane crash and seemingly was meant to win that U.S. Open.

Coming in second in the U.S. Open a record 6 times certainly has been disappointing for Phil, but this opportunity that Phil has to complete the career grand slam by going full-circle and winning the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 is an unbelievable opportunity that would not have been possible if not for coming up short in the past. Phil completing the grand slam by winning the U.S Open at Pinehurst No. 2 is almost too perfect of a story. It is so perfect that I guarantee that Phil Mickelson will win the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. As we all know, life is not easy, and failures can be tough, but what really counts is what you do after the failures and, to a certain extent, past failures can even make future success sweeter. I am sure that when Phil does win the U.S. Open this year that he will agree that winning the 2014 U.S. Open was made sweeter by what happened at Pinehurst No. 2 in 1999, Bethpage Black in 2002, Shinnecock Hills in 2004, Winged Foot in 2006, Bethpage Black in 2009, and Merion in 2013.

Florida State Survives Tough Test to Claim jasathletics Title

Going into the BCS National Championship Game, Florida State looked poised to claim its first jasathletics college football title. The game did not play out as many college football fans, and certainly Florida State fans, expected though. Auburn led most of the way and, even after frittering away that lead, they still looked like they were going to win the game after a great run to the end zone by Tre Mason that was aided by some poor tackling with less than a minute and a half remaining on the clock. If Auburn had won, the race for the jasathletics college football crown would have been wide open. Jameis Winston made sure that this did not happen though as he led Florida State down the field for a clinching touchdown. With this win, there is no doubt that Florida State, with its undefeated record, is the best team in college football. Therefore, Florida State is indeed the 2013-2014 jasathletics College Football National Champion.

Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the new college football playoff works. The inadequacy of the BCS system is what first prompted jasathletics to start naming its own national champion. In the future, it will need to be determined if naming a college football national champion is still necessary. Such a decision is many years off though as it remains to be seen if this playoff system with only four teams will actually lead to a deserving national champion.