Saturday, July 25, 2009

canadian football playoffs

No, it isn't time for the CFL playoffs yet. They are only in week 4, I think. But, I had to tell you something about the strange crossover rule they have in determining who makes the playoffs in the CFL. If you go to their website, they use this long explanation, but ultimately it works like this.

There are 8 teams in the league, divided up in two divisions. The top team in each division gets home field advantage in their division for the playoffs. The second place team in each division gets a playoff bid. Then the top two teams of the remaining four get the remaining spot in each division. If the 4th place record of one of the divisions is better (not the same) as the 3rd in the other division, it gets the slot in the opposite division. That team will be 3rd in that division, even if it has a better record than the 2nd place team in its new division. 3rd plays at second. winner plays at first. firsts go to Grey Cup.

Interesting. Of course, 6 teams of 8 making the playoffs kindof makes the whole thing senseless. Since they have had the crossover rule, no crossover team has won a playoff game.

They say this allows them to keep more teams in the playoff hunt for longer, and allows, usually, the 6 teams with the best record to make the playoffs. Also, because they are still in divisions, they still have the division rivals, etc.

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