Aggie Gameday Extra Podcast: Should the College Football Playoff format be changed so soon?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has been a focal point of discussion for college football fans, analysts, and decision-makers since its inception in 2014. The four-team playoff system replaced the previous Bowl Championship Series (BCS), promising to offer a more fair and accurate representation of the best teams in college football vying for a national championship. Fast forward to the present day, and the conversation around the CFP has evolved. Fans and pundits alike are now asking: Should the College Football Playoff format be changed so soon?

This question has become more relevant than ever as the college football landscape continues to shift with the introduction of the expanded 12-team playoff that will begin in the 2024 season. On the Aggie Gameday Extra Podcast, the topic of changing the CFP format has been debated heavily, especially in light of recent developments in college football such as conference realignment, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), and the increasing importance of television contracts in shaping the sport. With all these factors in play, should the format undergo another change so soon after the announcement of the 12-team expansion? The answer to that question is not as straightforward as one might think.

In this article, we will explore the arguments surrounding the expansion of the CFP, the challenges and opportunities presented by the new format, and whether it makes sense to further alter the structure so soon after the changes. We will delve into the pros and cons of the 12-team playoff, its potential impact on the sport, and whether college football’s governing bodies should consider another overhaul of the playoff system.

The Evolution of the College Football Playoff

Before diving into the debate over whether the College Football Playoff format should be changed again, it’s important to understand the evolution of the system and why the current format is in place.

The College Football Playoff began in 2014 as a replacement for the BCS system, which, for all its flaws, did provide some excitement and a semblance of fairness by determining the two teams that would play for the national championship. However, the BCS faced considerable criticism for failing to take into account the opinions of non-BCS conference teams, the strength of conference schedules, and the overall transparency of the system. The introduction of the four-team College Football Playoff was widely seen as a step toward addressing those shortcomings.

Under the CFP, four teams are selected to compete for the national championship based on their regular-season performance, with the final rankings determined by a 13-member selection committee. The format has allowed for a more robust and competitive postseason, with teams from power conferences and Group of Five programs alike earning a chance to compete for the national title.

For the first few years, the four-team playoff largely delivered what it promised: high-quality games, memorable moments, and a more accurate representation of the best teams in college football. Yet, as time went on, concerns started to emerge about the limited number of teams in the playoff and the perceived inequality of the system.

The Call for an Expanded Playoff

In the years following the CFP’s creation, a growing consensus emerged that the playoff field should be expanded. The main criticisms centered around the limited number of teams and the fact that certain deserving programs were left out of the hunt for a national championship. For example, smaller programs like UCF (University of Central Florida), which went undefeated in the 2017 season, were not selected for the playoff, despite having a perfect record. On the other end of the spectrum, some larger programs argued that the current format favored Power 5 conference teams, leaving little room for mid-tier programs or teams from smaller conferences.

With mounting pressure from fans, coaches, and media outlets, the College Football Playoff Management Committee agreed to expand the playoff to 12 teams, starting in the 2024 season. The new format will include six automatic qualifiers based on conference championships, and the remaining six spots will be filled by at-large teams, with the top four teams receiving a first-round bye. This expansion is seen as an effort to bring more inclusivity to the playoff system while maintaining the excitement of postseason play.

The announcement of the 12-team playoff has been met with mixed reactions. While some see it as a step toward a more equitable system, others believe it could dilute the significance of the regular season and lead to further logistical challenges. The question remains: Is the 12-team format the solution, or should the playoff system be further adjusted to meet the needs of the modern game?

The Pros and Cons of Expanding the Playoff to 12 Teams

With the 12-team playoff set to take effect in 2024, the focus has shifted to the potential advantages and disadvantages of the expanded format.

The Pros of Expanding the Playoff

1. Increased Inclusivity: The most significant benefit of expanding the playoff is the increased inclusivity it brings to the sport. Under the previous four-team format, only the most dominant teams had a legitimate shot at competing for the national title. The 12-team format will give teams from conferences outside the Power 5 more opportunities to compete for a championship, which is crucial for the sport’s growth.

   The inclusion of conference champions and at-large bids provides a more equitable path for teams from Group of Five conferences, like the American Athletic Conference (AAC) or the Sun Belt Conference, to have a shot at a national title. It ensures that deserving teams from across the college football landscape are not excluded from the postseason based on conference affiliation or perceived strength.

2. More Excitement and More Games: With the addition of more teams to the playoff, the overall excitement of the postseason is expected to increase. More games mean more chances for upsets, Cinderella stories, and thrilling matchups that fans can look forward to. The 12-team format will also generate more buzz in the weeks leading up to the postseason, as teams jockey for positions in the rankings, making the regular season even more important.

   The increased number of games also benefits television networks, which will generate more revenue through broadcasting additional playoff games. This financial aspect is a key motivator for many in favor of the expansion, as it provides more exposure and revenue for college football programs.

3. Better Representation of the Best Teams: A 12-team playoff allows for a broader selection of teams that might otherwise have been left out. Instead of relying solely on the selection committee’s rankings, the playoff will more accurately reflect the variety of conference champions and top-tier programs, ensuring that deserving teams from across the country have a fair chance at the title. This can also help address concerns that the current system disproportionately favors Power 5 teams while leaving out competitive Group of Five teams.

The Cons of Expanding the Playoff

1. Potential Dilution of the Regular Season: One of the most significant concerns with the 12-team format is that it could undermine the importance of the regular season. In the current four-team setup, the regular season carries immense weight, as only the best teams from the conferences earn a spot in the playoff. Expanding the playoff to 12 teams could lessen the stakes for teams in the middle of the rankings, making the regular season feel less consequential.

   Teams with two or three losses might still have a shot at making the playoffs, which could discourage schools from scheduling tough non-conference games or putting as much emphasis on conference championships. This shift could lead to a more watered-down regular season where teams prioritize avoiding losses over playing competitive football.

2. Increased Risk of Injuries and Player Fatigue: As the playoff expands, so too does the length of the postseason. While the 12-team format will bring more excitement, it also means that teams will be required to play more games. This additional wear and tear on players could increase the risk of injuries, especially for programs that already struggle with depth.

   The increased number of games also extends the season, potentially leaving players fatigued as they approach the national championship game. This may impact player performance and the overall quality of the postseason, as teams that advance deeper into the tournament will have to manage fatigue and injuries.

3. Impact on the Bowl System: The expansion of the playoff could also alter the traditional college football bowl system. With more teams vying for a spot in the playoff, the significance of non-playoff bowl games may diminish. These games could lose their luster, as they are no longer viewed as stepping stones to the national championship. This could lead to a drop in bowl game attendance and viewer ratings, as the focus shifts to the 12-team playoff and the potential for more postseason games.

Should the Format Change Again So Soon?

Given the challenges and opportunities presented by the 12-team playoff, it’s understandable that many are questioning whether the format should undergo further changes. The decision to move from four to 12 teams has already been a significant shift, and it will take time for the full impact to be felt. As college football continues to evolve, it’s important to allow the expanded playoff format to play out before making additional alterations.

However, the growing influence of television networks, conference realignment, and the rise of NIL deals could prompt future discussions about further modifying the system. It’s possible that college football’s governing bodies may need to adapt the playoff format to account for these new realities, but such changes should be approached with caution to avoid destabilizing the competitive integrity of the sport.