An 8-4 team in the College Football Playoff is actually happening. Sound the alarm
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- College football is facing a major potential change with Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and other power brokers pushing for a 24-team College Football Playoff (CFP), despite overwhelming fan opposition.
- Expanding the CFP from 12 to 24 teams threatens to undermine the sport’s core appeal by diminishing the importance of the regular season and allowing mediocre teams into the playoff.
- Critics argue this expansion is driven by self-preservation among commissioners and conferences that created oversized leagues and face financial pressures, rather than the best interests of the sport.
- SEC commissioner Greg Sankey currently opposes expanding beyond 16 teams, but growing support within his conference and pressure from media partners like Fox Sports complicate the issue.
- The final decision rests with school presidents, who may not prioritize this issue, making fan advocacy crucial to preserving college football’s traditional competitive structure.