I still like the pod system but it doesn't seem like anyone is going that route.
I posted this in another thread:
Seems like the pod system - despite seemingly making a lot of sense - isn't going to catch on anywhere.
But it would work out well for a 20-team conference. Play your pod (five teams, four games) every year and one of the other pods each year (five games). I would have the winner of those pairings play in the CCG but that probably wouldn't happen either.
With Clemson & Florida State:
Eastern - Penn State, Florida State, Clemson, Maryland, Rutgers
Central - Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana
Northern - Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern
Western - Nebraska, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington