The CFP wants to expand their playoff, so how should they?
According to CBS Sports, recently, the College Football Playoff Board of Managers on Tuesday approved a feasibility study of moving the CFP field to 12 teams. In this 12 team scenario, the winner of each of the six highest-ranked conference champions will automatically enter the college football playoff while the six highest-ranked remaining teams will also qualify. In this article some of the most popular new College Football Playoff expansion possibilities.
Note: All the Rankings I use are from Week 16 (the week before the bowl games started) from the 2019 season. I use the CFP Rankings
Click here to use the rankings I referenced!
Method 1: The 12 team playoff (automatic bid for top 6 conference champions)
What this would have looked like in 2019^ (the numbers on the left are each team’s ranking)
Why this could work:
Every team on the board is a legit contender, you mix in a Cinderella team in Memphis and every power 5 conference is in attendance. Also, more games, more money for the NCAA.
What I dislike about this method:
A twelve-team playoff may put less importance on the New Year’s six games. For example, most years the Rose Bowl is composed of the best BIG 10 team and the best PAC 12. If you were to take the best remaining BIG 10 and Pac 12 teams you’d end up with the number 14 team versus the number 22 team which won’t be as cool as the number 6 versus 8. I don’t like that Oregon gets the easier route than Georgia and Florida. It feels like they are being rewarded for being in one of the weakest conferences. Also, with this method, in theory Oregon could win seven games but still win the PAC 12 while Georgia could go 12–1 but be in a worse position than a team that is clearly worse than them. It’s almost similar to how The Washington Football team went seven and nine but got home-field advantage versus the eleven and five Buccaneers. Also, more games, more potential injuries.
Method 2: 12 Teams (the best twelve teams period)
What this would have looked like in 2019^
Why this could work:
Simply put, the best teams get what they earn. Unlike the other 12 team scenario mentioned, a power five conference champion can’t be a decent team but still have a top-six spot. Extra games also mean more fun, views, highlights, and money for the NCAA.
What I dislike about this method:
This method does not ensure all major conferences get a seat at the table, plus, where are the non-power 5 Cinderella teams everyone has been wanting? Like the other 12 team method, there is a big potential for injuries, for example, if Auburn were to make it to the national championship game, they’d have to play four games which is the equivalent to one-third of their season.
Method 3: Eight team playoff (automatic bid for top 6 conference champions)
What this method would have looked like in 2019^
Why this could work:
This format includes the non-power 5 school everyone wants to see, it also guarantees every major conference an opportunity to make history. Also, to win the national championship you only need to win three games which is better for the players health than the 16 game format. Plus, four extra games will be good for the NCAA and would make for a fun weekend on the couch.
What I dislike about this method:
There isn’t much to dislike about this method, sure I would rather see a team like Wisconsin instead of Memphis but who doesn’t love a Cinderella story.
Method 4: Eight team playoff (the best eight teams period)
What this method would have looked like in 2019^
Why this could work:
The top eight teams in the nation are gunning for the prize on an even March Madness style bracket. What’s not to love
What I disliked about this:
This method will often leave out the Cinderella non-power 5 team people seem to enjoy, but if you want to look better go to a more competitive conference. Switching to Alabama’s conference right now looks easier than beating Alabama.
Method 5: 6 teams, conference champions only
What this would have looked like in 2019^
Why this could work:
Two additional games could be a fun twist to the College Football Playoff. Six teams seem good enough since realistically there are only around 6 teams every year who are really good enough to win the championship.
What I dislike about this:
This method puts increased importance on winning your conference which isn’t easy for anyone in hard conferences like the SEC. Could this potentially lead to a team like Auburn (or other teams that are good, but not usually good enough to win their conference) joining an easier conference for a CFP spot? Also, how does Notre Dame get in?
Last Method and probably least: The 64 team playoff
What this could potentially look like: What a 64-team college football tournament would look like in 2021
Why this could work:
So many games, so much money. Other than that, I don’t think it can.
What I dislike about this:
- Who wants to see Alabama play two terrible teams in the first two rounds
- There aren’t 64 teams who deserve a chance to win the championship
- This could encourage coaches to sit valuable assets knowing you can still easily make the tournament
- Think about March Madness, you have games starting at undesirable hours, much of the first round is being played during the daytime on weekdays, how do you fit in that much college football?
- The tournament could potentially last longer than the NBA playoffs
- Injuries, if you make the finals, you have to play and win 6 additional games. That is half of the college football season.
- A 64 team playoff probably eliminates most important bowl games which bring tourists to cities every year and they are heavily associated with college football.
Final thoughts:
I dislike the fact that unlike the NFL there is no clear method of determining which teams should make the playoffs. Basically what I’m saying is that I dislike that there is no clear-cut way to determine superiority. I dislike the formulas where the top two teams get a bye week because is Ohio State really that much better than Clemson? Also, there is no way of officially knowing. I disagree with Mike Leach, and I agree with Dabo Swinney, I don’t think more than 10 teams are good enough to win the title. I think the eight-team playoff where you take the best eight teams is the way to go. You could complain that each conference isn’t guaranteed a spot, but if your power 5 conference doesn’t have a top 8 team, then that’s sad on its own.
