Football Could Learn From March Madness

Envision all the excitement and hoopla created by March Madness being replaced with selected games, just as college football does it.

Imagine for a second, a spine-tingling duel in Dallas between the Southwest Conference champion, Arkansas, and a worthy opponent. Southeastern Conference tournament champion Alabama could play host to a team in New Orleans, much like the Sugar Bowl. The probable “national championship” would pit the Pac-10 vs. the Big Ten, Arizona vs. Indiana, in a basketball version of the Rose Bowl.

All that No. 1 Arizona would have to do is win and then claim the title. Forget Georgetown, Illinois, Syracuse and Missouri--they would have little chance at being No. 1.

It’s time for college football to take note of the dramatic spectacle that is March Madness and consider doing away with the worthless bowl exercise each year.

BRUCE MARSHALL

San Clemente