STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — If Stanford coach David Shaw had his way, there would be an eight-team playoff this season. The champions from the six major conferences — SEC, Pac-12, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and the American Athletic — would automatically qualify, and there would be two at-large bids.
Unfortunately for Shaw and Stanford, that’s not the case this year or even next year — when the BCS will be banished in favor of a four-team playoff. All the Cardinal, ranked fifth in the Associated Press poll and fourth in the BCS standings, can control right now is winning the Pac-12 title.
After beating Oregon last week, Shaw says Stanford (8-1, 6-1, Pac-12) is focused on a visit at surging Southern California (7-3, 4-2) on Saturday night and not the rankings.
