First, let me say that this "two teams per conference versus the best twelve
teams" discussion is a trifle uninteresting and I normally would not join
in. I think I have a different perspective to offer, however, so I will
contribute to the issue.
 
I relate this debate to the socialism vs. free market argument.
 
The "socialists" believe in equality for everyone: all leagues get the
same number of bids, regardless of how they do. The "free marketers" believe
in competition and survival of the fittest: make teams from different
leagues duke it out (in the regular season, of course) for those precious bids.
 
I myself happen to be a free marketer. I think that if you tell a league
it gets x bids no matter how well it does, then there will be no incentive
to do well to get additional bids. Why bother improving your team with respect
to those outside your league? As long as you are one of the top x in your
league, then who cares if you can't compete with any teams outside your league?
Also, if there are some weak teams in your league, why bother upgrading their
programs? We'll still get invited to the big dance.
 
As a free marketer, I realize that the quality of my opponents is a reflection
on me. I can either change my schedule to get rid of the weak teams, or I
can work to improve them. I want my league opponents to go out and win their
non-conference games. There is an incentive to improve my opponents because
it will help me get what I want: a bid. Also, improving my opponents will in
the long run improve me.
 
If I found myself in a league I thought was weak, I might consider trying
to change the system to a more socialistic type as an easy fix. Maybe I would
consider axing the weak programs. But I think the best solution would be to
improve my league AS A WHOLE so that it could compete with the others.
 
Although I cannot clarify*, I have reason to believe that a certain league
REALIZES it is weak. Instead of taking measures to make itself stronger (more
scholarships, more games, whatever), it chooses to weaken other leagues by
denying them their fair share of bids. I think this is a shame. I would much
rather see this league rise to the level of its competition instead of dragging
eveyone else down.
 
And that's about all the political science this computer scientist can handle...
 
Keith
*comments were made off the record