Should the Top Six Teams in the CFL make the Playoffs regardless of Division?

[jerrym]

With the West dominating the East again, as has happened so often since 1980, there is growing momentum in western Canada to see the league pick the top six teams to be in the playoffs, regardless of which division they play in. Living in Vancouver I hear it on an ongoing basis.
Obviously, this could have major ramifications for the future of the Argos and possibly Hamilton and Montreal in terms of attendance and survival. If the East does not improve under such a format, teams could be out of the playoff picture before even the Labour Day weekend and attendance drop even more significantly. Ottawa could be okay in the short to medium term since, as an expansion team, their fans expect them to not be competitive immediately and they are sold out so far, but sooner or later, they could face a similar problem if they do not improve.
Since the Argos have the biggest attendance and revenue problems, not being in the playoff picture very early in the season could in the future deepen the attendance problem and the Argos future. Even in their Grey Cup season, after all, the Argos were 7-9 going into their last two games, so suddenly turning it on in the playoffs would only be possible if one were reasonably successful during the regular season.
Also, a change to the proposed new playoff format, would reduce the traditional East-West rivalry of the Grey Cup, in a league built on strong traditions.
Those arguing for the best six teams argue that the East actually already plays more games against western teams (10 games) than east, so the once upon a time novelty of East vs West no longer exists.
They also argue that the best should be in the playoffs, not simply those who get there because they are better than the worst in their division.
They also argue that this could pressure the eastern teams to get better in order to make the playoffs, rather than make sure they are simply better than the bottom two eastern teams, with one of those likely being an expansion team, in the current format.
In reality, this would not be as great a change as it looks at first, since if the fourth place team in the West has a better record, the western team makes the playoff and the proposed format still allows one eastern team into the playoff.
What do you think?

[Argocister]

Arguments for and against can be had on different perspectives.

If one is considering this from the overall revenue, sponsorship and TSN viewing perspective.... The argument would be against this scenario as they require the larger population base in the East to have an interest in the Grey Cup. Also, there wouldn't be an East or West final ....which I am sure brings in higher income than a routine playoff game.

Football wise ..... Yes, it may provide for a better game but I think the playoffs bring out a different level of play in the game. How many Grey Cups have been disappointing? Over the years I would think the game is a good one. That's why other leagues have not gone to a similar scenario.

It will be interesting to see if we do have a cross over scenario and an all west Grey Cup...... Good thing the game is in BC.

[Argo57]

Bad idea.
In my opinion East vs West creates interest across the country. Don't think eastern Canada would have much interest in Edmonton vs Calgary final nor would the West tune in for Toronto vs Ottawa final.
Sure Western fans may want a change as their Conference is stronger right now but could regret their request if the Eastern teams get their act together.
As Jerry alluded to such a change could create meaningless games from Labour Day to seasons end for a couple of teams or more (attendance killer).

[ArgoRavi]

The only change I would make to the current playoff format is to go back to what we had in 1986. That year, the fourth place team in the west had a better record than the third place team in the east so four western teams and two eastern teams made the playoffs. We had a thrilling two-game total point series in the east while 1 played 4 and 2 played 3 in two west semi-finals with the winners playing in the divisional final. The league got an additional post-season game out of this too. No other change is necessary to the playoff format IMO.

[Argo57]

The only change I would make to the current playoff format is to go back to what we had in 1986. That year, the fourth place team in the west had a better record than the third place team in the east so four western teams and two eastern teams made the playoffs. We had a thrilling two-game total point series in the east while 1 played 4 and 2 played 3 in two west semi-finals with the winners playing in the divisional final. The league got an additional post-season game out of this too. No other change is necessary to the playoff format IMO.

Hey Ravi, thanks for reminding us about the 2 game total point Eastern Final!!!

[paulwoods13]

The only change I would make to the current playoff format is to go back to what we had in 1986. That year, the fourth place team in the west had a better record than the third place team in the east so four western teams and two eastern teams made the playoffs. We had a thrilling two-game total point series in the east while 1 played 4 and 2 played 3 in two west semi-finals with the winners playing in the divisional final. The league got an additional post-season game out of this too. No other change is necessary to the playoff format IMO.

I agree completely. An extra game, and the two-game series is incredibly intriguing.

[argotom]

The only change I would make to the current playoff format is to go back to what we had in 1986. That year, the fourth place team in the west had a better record than the third place team in the east so four western teams and two eastern teams made the playoffs. We had a thrilling two-game total point series in the east while 1 played 4 and 2 played 3 in two west semi-finals with the winners playing in the divisional final. The league got an additional post-season game out of this too. No other change is necessary to the playoff format IMO.

I like it, bring it back.
Who can forget Leo's famous saying only an act of god can beat us.

[ArgoRavi]

Hey Ravi, thanks for reminding us about the 2 game total point Eastern Final!!!

LOL, that and the Grey Cup the following year were tough losses for the Argos but the football was incredibly entertaining.