.png)
_edited_edited.png)
Many college football fans are pumped up about a twelve-team College Football Playoff, but if you’re a true old-school college football fan, you’re probably asking yourself “What’s the point?”
The main issue in a lot of people's opinions, having twelve teams for the College Football Playoff does seem excessive and pointless. The FBS version of the playoff system should be reserved for the best of the best. Having twelve teams waters down the playoff model of what is the premier college football playoff system in the sport.
Exploring Alternatives
Is expansion beyond the current four-team model a good idea? Of course. Six to no more than eight teams should satisfy even the most diehard college football fans, even those who accept the four-team model. But in today’s world of constantly tweaking something that isn’t broken, we will continue to see changes (both good and bad) to the game. Why? Because college football is a business, and that business is constantly growing and everyone wants their needs and requests met.
"But Adam, the FCS uses a playoff model that involves more teams."
No disrespect to the FCS, but the FBS is still BCS-quality D1 football, and there is a difference. The current four-team model is perfect but expanding it to six or eight teams would evolve the game even more. Expanding the College Football Playoff with two to four more teams would allow at least one G5 team in the playoffs without watering down the playoff model too much and would prevent fringe teams from getting in. Many fringe teams barely qualify, record-wise, to play in a New Year's Six bowl game. Fans of G5 teams who qualify would now be able to root for their respective teams if they’re fortunate enough to make the playoff record-wise or cheer them on in a high-quality New Year's Six bowl game or regular bowl game. Doing this ensures that there is indeed a method put in place where everybody wins.
Bowl games are still significant in the sport and shouldn’t be considered anything less. The teams involved still get to end their respective season on a high note and, in a sense, go out on top. Although there are way too many bowl games, the fact that we have them and can enjoy them every year is appreciated by real college football fans.
Being Realistic
A 12-team CFP would also mean prolonging the postseason with more unnecessary games to crown a champion than we already need. That presents a problem injury-wise for players coming back to their respective schools at the end of the season as well as players preparing for the upcoming draft in the spring. More high-intensity football games equals more injuries, and that’s just something players and coaches do not need in an attempt to squeeze more games out of the postseason.
Last but not least, TV deals would be significantly affected by more football, even if the playoffs are drug out just a few extra weeks, because that’s more money being spent on TV deals for college football as opposed to two other big-time sports in the Winter seasons with the NBA season starting. All in all, it’s just not worth it to the television studios.
Where the CFP stands
On the surface, the new 12-team CFP seems fun, engaging, and innovative, but sometimes less is more. If a system isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it. That heavily applies to the twelve-team College Football Playoff. If you’re not going to test out expansion by first starting with one or two teams, just simply leave it alone.
.png)
.png)