For a second consecutive year, the BCS National Champion has been decided by a computer. Although Alabama won in the championship game over then undefeated Notre Dame, three teams all finished the season with the same record: 12-1.

Good news college football fans, this will change come 2014. A four-team playoff system will be implemented, and for the first time in the history of NCAA football, there will no longer be a dispute over who the best team in the country is–or at least over who is the best of the four best teams. The current BCS Bowls- Fiesta, Orange, Rose, Cotton, and the Sugar Bowl will be used, on a rotating basis, as the sites for the two semi-final games. The winner of each semi-final will then meet in the traditional BCS Championship game.

This season, there was a huge dispute over whether Notre Dame (despite their undefeated record) deserved a spot in the National Championship. One-loss teams from major conferences (Notre Dame is independent, meaning they do not play in a particular football conference) such as Florida, Oregon, and Kansas State, were left out of a shot at a championship because of the BCS Computer selections. In the future, these one-loss teams will still have a chance to win it all. This year for example, a semi-final game between Oregon and Notre Dame would have been a great match up featuring the electrifying offense of Oregon against the staunch defense of Notre Dame which allowed only 10 points per game in their first 12 games. The other game would have been a classic SEC match up between Alabama and Florida.

Unfortunately, college football fans struggled to watch a clearly over matched Notre Dame get literally rolled over by the Alabama Crimson Tide. A very disappointing end to an interesting season, but one which could have been prevented. In the future, in order for a team to make it to the championship, the will not only have to win 11 or 12 games, they will most to win their conference, and beat another top four team. This extremely difficult path will eliminate any team sneaking into a title game, and should produce the most deserving champion.

There will likely still be teams who finish outside those top four however, who feel they should have been allowed into this mini-tournament. College fans who love March Madness’s invitation of 64 teams – giving every legitimate contender and even some non-contenders a shot – will always be the gold standard for college sports.  But since this new deal was agree on through the mid 2020’s, college football fans will have to be satisfied with the four team system for the time being.

While the 2012-13 season ended in a poor game, fans nationwide have something to look forward to. The playoff system which will start in 2014, may prevent any more blowout Championship Games from here on out.