A 24-team playoff would reward failure. Notre Dame is all for it
USA Today • • sports
Key Points:
- Several college football coaches, including Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman, support expanding the playoff to 24 teams to increase access and secure spots for traditional powerhouses regardless of some losses.
- Critics argue that a 24-team playoff would devalue the regular season, reward mediocrity, and diminish the high-stakes nature of fall games by guaranteeing playoff berths to major programs annually.
- Coaches and university leaders favor expansion partly due to self-interest and financial incentives, with figures like Nick Saban highlighting the revenue motivations behind the push.
- The current 12-team playoff format balances exclusivity and access, whereas a 24-team bracket risks turning playoff games into mismatches and reducing the significance of regular-season outcomes.
- While a larger playoff might keep more fanbases engaged late into the season, opponents warn it would ultimately erode college football's competitive integrity and diminish the importance of regular-season performance.
