New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- universities need the money.

what should remain worth winning before the national tournament begins?

Saban said, "I would be for 16. I think that would be a good compromise," according to Brad Crawford's CBS Sports report. He proposed retaining conference championship games as a possible route into that field, while acknowledging that he did not see much support for his alternative.

That separates his position from a blanket defense of the current 12-team competition. Saban accepts a larger playoff. He disputes the size of the increase and the apparent trade of conference title games for additional national postseason inventory.

That is not the same as a signed contract or a fully adopted competition format. The ...