College Football Playoff quarterfinal upsets fuel rust-versus-rest debate for bye teams
NBC Sports••sports
Key Points:
- Over the past two seasons of the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP), seven of eight teams that earned first-round byes lost in the quarterfinals, suggesting a trend where rest may lead to rust.
- Indiana broke this "curse" by decisively beating Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl after a long layoff, but other top coaches like Ryan Day and Kirby Smart have fallen victim to early exits despite being favorites.
- The trend raises questions about whether momentum from playing in the first round outweighs the advantages of rest, with some coaches rejecting the idea of using the layoff as an excuse for losses.
- CFP officials are considering changes such as starting the playoff a week earlier or allowing top
