The Utes also proved every team deserves an opportunity to determine its fate on the field.

Get rid of the computers and polls. Get rid of opinion.

It’s time to determine the best team at college football’s highest level the same way every other champion in this country is crowned.

My plan is simple. Sixteen teams. The 11 conference champions receive an automatic bid, and a committee similar to the one in basketball selects five wild cards. First-round games are played at the home field of the eight top seeds. The rest of the tournament is played out at neutral sites.

It’s time to join the 21st century, college football.

Utah just provided the wake-up call.

THB sports reporter George Bremer can be reached at (765) 640-4831 or george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com.