Spurrier sides with Obama on playoff

COLUMBIA --- The new president has a supporter in Steve Spurrier when it comes to a college football playoff.

South Carolina's coach strongly backs President-elect Obama's contention that the sport should have an eight-team playoff to decide a national championship.

"A lot of people don't think it's going to happen, but I sort of believe it will happen if President-elect Obama pushes it hard enough," Spurrier said on this week's Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference.

"It would be very interesting, but I think there's a chance it could happen," Spurrier said. "Maybe it'll take four years or so, but I think there's a chance."

Currently, the Bowl Championship Series matches two teams in a title game.

Obama has said more than once he plans to push for an eight-team tournament. He said in an interview on CBS' 60 Minutes the regular season could be trimmed back. An eight-team tournament would add three extra weeks.

"I don't know any serious fan of college football who has disagreed with me on this. So, I'm going to throw my weight around a little bit. I think it's the right thing to do," Obama said.

Spurrier said Obama's public pressure can get the football rolling on a playoff.

"We have playoffs in every sport in the world, I think, except (FBS) college football," Spurrier said. "I used to say, 'How can we be right and everybody else be wrong.' "