College football is on the brink of a transformation that could redefine its very essence, and I’m here to tell you why this should alarm every fan, player, and alum who cares about the sport’s soul. The proposal to expand the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 24 teams isn’t just a logistical change—it’s a philosophical shift that threatens to dilute what makes this sport uniquely compelling. Let’s break it down, because what’s happening here is far more than a numbers game.
The Regular Season: A Sacred Institution
What makes college football special? It’s the stakes of every Saturday. Unlike the NFL, where mediocrity can still earn you a playoff spot, college football demands excellence. An 8-4 team in the CFP? That’s not just a stretch—it’s a betrayal of the sport’s ethos. Personally, I think this proposal undermines the very thing that draws millions to tune in: the idea that every game matters. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just about expanding the playoff—it’s about devaluing the regular season. What many people don’t realize is that this could lead to teams resting starters or tanking late-season games, knowing they’re already in. That’s not college football; that’s something else entirely.
The Power Brokers vs. The Fans
Here’s the irony: the people pushing this change—commissioners like Tony Petitti and Brett Yormark—are the same ones who claim to care about the sport’s future. But their motivations are clear: money and job security. What this really suggests is that they’re prioritizing short-term gains over the long-term health of the game. One thing that immediately stands out is the disconnect between these power brokers and the fans. Polls show that 90% of fans oppose this expansion, yet their voices are being ignored. Why? Because the fans aren’t the ones signing the billion-dollar TV deals. From my perspective, this is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog—and the dog is college football.
The SEC’s Stand and ESPN’s Shadow
Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner, is one of the few holding the line against this madness. He’s pushing for a 16-team playoff, which is still a stretch but at least preserves some integrity. What makes this particularly fascinating is the role of ESPN. As the exclusive CFP rightsholder, ESPN has a vested interest in keeping the playoff smaller—more games mean more negotiations and potentially less money for them. But here’s the kicker: if the playoff expands to 24 teams, those extra games go to the open market, which is why Fox Sports is all in. This raises a deeper question: Are we letting TV networks dictate the future of college football? In my opinion, that’s a dangerous precedent.
The Unintended Consequences
Proponents of the 24-team playoff argue that it will create more meaningful games and reduce pressure on coaches. But let’s be real—that’s wishful thinking. What this really means is that we’ll see more matchups between mediocre teams instead of the high-stakes games we love. A detail that I find especially interesting is the comparison to Major League Baseball, where Petitti cut his teeth. In baseball, an 83-79 team can make the playoffs. Do we really want college football to follow that model? If you ask me, that’s a recipe for disaster.
The Comet is Coming
This entire situation reminds me of the movie Don’t Look Up, where a comet is heading toward Earth, and no one seems to care. College football’s comet is this 24-team playoff, and the sport’s leaders are too busy squabbling over money to see the danger. What’s at stake here isn’t just a playoff format—it’s the identity of college football. If we let this happen, we’re not just expanding the playoff; we’re eroding the very thing that makes this sport great.
What Can Fans Do?
If you’re as concerned as I am, don’t sit on the sidelines. Email your school’s president. Voice your opposition. Let them know that this matters. Because right now, the people in charge aren’t listening to the fans—they’re listening to the money. And if we don’t act, college football as we know it could be gone forever.
In the end, this isn’t just about a playoff format. It’s about preserving the heart and soul of a sport that millions of us love. Personally, I think a 12-team playoff strikes the right balance, but 24 teams? That’s a bridge too far. Let’s hope sanity prevails before it’s too late.
