Let’s expand the CFP as soon as possible

I know there has been a lot written/debated about the pros/cons of CFP playoff expansion. Based on this year’s result I think expansion should happen as soon as possible. Most of the cons are based on the blowout scores in the semifinal games (and to some extent the finals). Perhaps this would be mitigated with the best teams playing versus the most deserving (exclusively).

Most deserving vs Best teams

This debate goes on every year. The feeling this year was Cincinnati was the most deserving – undefeated, conference champion, etc - team. However, Ohio State was the better team based on the line put out by Vegas. The Bearcats were 13.5 point underdogs while the Buckeyes would have been 4.5 point underdogs.

Why not go to 12 teams which would allow you to have the most deserving teams and the best teams solve it on the field?

Uneven Scheduling

Again a lot has been written about the uneven scheduling between conferences (including the strength of schedule for G5 teams.) I think as long as you are allowed to play FCS teams, have imbalance between 8v9 conference games, unwillingness to travel and play “north of the border”, you will not have a way to determine the “best” teams. This will not be resolved without single “commissioner” entity – which isn’t going to happen.

Regular season Big Games

Based on the uneven scheduling, there is no incentive to play Oklahoma, Oregon, Notre Dame (looking at you Buckeyes) in your non-conference schedule while others are playing The Citadel, Furman, Mercer (looking at you SEC). The fans want these big games, the networks want these big games, and the players/recruits want these big games.

March Madness

Ever watch first round games of March Madness? Were you expecting a blowout? But watched anyway – looking at you Oral Roberts. March Madness is all about match ups – 5 vs 12, Cinderella, etc – at least in the opening rounds. The cream tends to rise to the top by the Sweet 16/Elite 8. A 12 team CFP would be no different. March Madness takes 20% of the D1 schools into their tournament. A 12 team CFP field would be less than 10% of the teams.

Entertainment value of games for seeds 5-12

I think these opening rounds of games would be very compelling. There were several bowl games this season that were very entertaining without any playoff implications. The added juice of advancing towards a national championship would be a benefit.

Player Opt outs

These early round games would slow down or eliminate the number of players opting out. I don’t believe any players have opted out of games when their team was involved in the CFP. I think that would be true of an expanded field.  

Reduce the time off between end of regular season and bowl games

With a 12 team field, there would be games in early mid-December (similar to D3, D2 and FCS). This would reduce the 25-32+ day delay between games. This would improve the game on the field.

Too many games/player safety

Pretty sure that D3 (32 teams), D2 (8 teams) and FCS (16 teams) levels of NCAA football are concerned about player safety also.

Playing at higher seed home field

With 12 teams the higher seed would host the opening round games. This would also help level the playing field. Southern teams and spread teams would have to game plan differently for cold/snowy weather. The Big 10, ACC North (?) and PAC 12 North have these games built into their regular season schedule.

Bowl Games

A bowl season for the quarters, semis and championship would involve 7 bowl games. This would add one bowl to the New Year’s Six.  None of the major bowls lose anything with the exception of timing. One could argue there would be more visibility, eyeballs and ticket sales with 2 games on a day versus the crowded New Year’s Day schedule.

Better/Balanced media coverage

I know this one is a little shaky. However, when you own the rights to all the bowl games, CFP semis and championship – for which you have paid a lot of money – you own the narrative to be in your best interest. The NFL model of breaking up the playoffs between networks seems to work well.

NIL/Transfer Portal

Who knows the unintended consequences of these developments on future bowl games?

Go Bucks!