The debate over how many teams should make the College Football Playoff (CFP) is as heated as ever. Now, in the third year of the 12-team format, opinions are still all over the place.
Some power conferences are pushing hard for expansion. Others? They’re convinced the current system works just fine.
Let’s look at why there’s so much noise about expanding the CFP, what’s motivating these pushes, and whether a 12-team format really makes sense.
The Push for CFP Expansion
The drive to expand the CFP comes down to two big things: not wanting to leave out traditional powerhouses, and, of course, TV money. College football’s always caught flak for excluding teams that probably deserved a shot—whether it was the old Bowl Coalition, the BCS, or even the four-team playoff.
Fans and stakeholders hate seeing deserving teams left out. That frustration keeps fueling the expansion talk.
Traditional Powerhouses and Fan Outrage
One major reason for expansion talk is the feeling that big-name teams sometimes get snubbed. It’s a familiar complaint: teams with strong seasons miss their chance at a title.
People see expanding the playoff as a fix for this recurring problem. Is it really that simple? Hard to say, but the sentiment is strong.
TV Money and Ratings
The other big driver is the money. Playoff games pull in huge TV ratings because they’re all-or-nothing.
More teams means more games, and that means more revenue for schools, athletic departments, coaches, and even players. That financial carrot is tough to ignore.
The Big Ten’s Unique Push for 24 Teams
The Big Ten has been especially loud about wanting a 24-team playoff. Fox, their TV partner, has a lot to do with it.
By late November, Fox is wrapping up its college football coverage, while ESPN and TNT take over in December and January. The Big Ten wants Fox to stay in the mix, and a bigger playoff could make that happen.
Challenges of a 24-Team Playoff
A 24-team playoff sounds wild, but it’s not without headaches. More games means more scheduling chaos, especially trying to avoid NFL conflicts.
There’s also the risk of messing with the regular season’s importance. The current CFP already has its struggles with scheduling, and piling on more teams could make things messier.
The Case for a 12-Team Playoff
Still, there are good reasons to stick with 12 teams. A recent poll showed plenty of fans think 12 is just right—not too many, not too few.
The format tries to balance letting more teams in while keeping the playoff competitive. It’s a tricky line to walk.
Addressing Grievances and Special Treatments
Every year, there’s griping about teams getting left out. Notre Dame, Texas, Vanderbilt—some years, they’re right on the edge.
Special criteria, like Notre Dame’s automatic qualification if they’re in the top 12, are supposed to help with that. Maybe it takes a little heat off the selection committee too.
Impact on Regular Season and Conference Games
Adding more conference games in the ACC and SEC is a solid move. More games means more head-to-head matchups and better data for sorting out bubble teams.
It also beats having those dull November weekends where half the TV schedule is filled with lopsided games. Fans get more excitement, and that’s never a bad thing.
Balancing TV Ratings and Competitive Integrity
The expansion debate always circles back to TV ratings. Some say more teams in the hunt will keep fans tuned in all season.
Others worry that if regular-season games matter less, those big matchups lose their edge. There’s a balance to strike, but it’s not obvious where it is.
Challenges of Adding More Games
Piling on more CFP games isn’t easy. Right now, two playoff games go up against NFL games and the ratings take a hit.
Starting the playoff earlier was floated, but it didn’t go over well. And let’s be honest—nobody’s getting rid of conference championships anytime soon, not with the money they bring in. The CFP has to tread carefully to keep both the regular season and playoffs meaningful.
Conclusion: Is 12 the Perfect Number?
Honestly, there’s no magic number for how many teams the CFP should have. It really depends—on the year, the teams, and what fans actually care about.
Some folks still want more teams. Others think 12 is already pushing it. I’m not sure there’s a way to make everyone happy, to be honest.
Still, the 12-team format feels like a fair middle ground. It’s not perfect, but it tries to balance inclusivity with keeping things competitive.
If you want to dive deeper into the debate, check out the full story at Awful Announcing.
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