Former New York Jets Head Coach Herm Edwards once ranted: "You play to win the game." Well today, if you are a college football team, that's not necessarily true . According to Jeff Long of the College football playoff committee,  it's not just a matter of win or lose. It apparently matters if you control the game.  

Wait, what? Ask any coach and they will tell you a win is a win. Even a seasoned college football writer like Stewart Mandell had to question Jeff Long about what that meant. Long said "game control" is not a stat and is subjective among the playoff committee members. Until last week no one even knew it was even part of the criteria for the committee. Do we really need another layer of confusion and controversy when it comes to college football? 

Let's use Ohio State as an example. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Ohio State defeated Illinois on Saturday 42-27.  However, the Buckeyes actually trailed Illinois by six points midway through the third quarter before scoring 28 straight points. Is that good enough for game control? Ohio State led Illinois for 55 minutes in the game. Is that good enough to qualify for game control? I say why should it matter. 

Boise State certainly didn't control their games with New Mexico or San Diego State. So what! Florida State hasn't controlled many games of late, but have won 27 games in a row. When Ohio State won their most recent National Championship, seven of their games were decided by seven points or less. Game control won't matter in who wins bowl games. 

ESPN has even come up with a "game control metric." The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that's just another way for the network to control college football. 

In the past week I have become skeptical of the College Football Playoff Committee. I think AP college football writers are much more qualified to select the four best teams in the country.  But then again, it is college football… Where you play to control the game!