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College football's BCS reaches 4-team playoff pact

MADRID (MarketWatch) -- The commissioners of the top U.S. college-football conferences have endorsed a four-team playoff structure that would take effect for the 2014 season, according to an ESPN report. The cable sports network's website said the four playoff participants would be selected by committee, taking into consideration such factors as regular-season schedule strength and conference titles. A selection committee takes into account a similar slate of factors in naming and seeding the 68 teams in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The commissioners of Bowl Championship Series member conferences, joined by the athletic director of the football independent University of Notre Dame, will present their recommendation to the organization's presidential oversight panel, according to a BCS statement. The lack of unanimity over a top-division college-football champion, traditionally decided by polls, has for years animated debate over whether a playoff was needed.