May 22—***
Once the idea of a 24-team College Football Playoff appeared to be a real possibility, I jumped on board. To me, expanded access is the most important goal for the CFP moving forward.
Thanks to good work by the Big Ten and checked by the fine folks at The Athletic, we know what it would actually look like.
Advertisement
Turns out, had the 24-team field been in place since 2016, 80 different programs would have made at least one appearance …including Illinopis.
To me, the giant number makes the decision for us. Eighty is more than half the schools playing at the FBS level and that makes the discussion a no-brainer.
Of course, the blue bloods would have gotten their share, with Alabama and Ohio State at the top of the list with 12, followed by Clemson (11), Georgia ad Notre Dame (10) and Oklahoma (nine).
Fourteen of the 18 schools in the Big Ten would have made at least one appearance, All 16 SEC schools would have been invited at least once.
Advertisement
Like a little variety with your CFP, the list of qualifiers would have included Western Michigan, UNLV, Tulsa, Troy, San Jose State, James Madison, Coastal Carolina, Army and Appalachian State. Something for everybody.
I’m a bit confused as to why it is taking the conferences, particularly the SEC, so long to come around to 24 teams. Every school in the league would have made it. What more do you want?
Perhaps the answer is obvious: more money. As the former best conference in college football, the SEC might feel entitled to an extra piece of the rich pie. The more it digs in, the better it must feel it makes its case.
The better way to go, if I can advice the SEC, is to play nice. These partnerships are going to last for many decades. Don’t get greed spoil the fun for everyone. If you are indeed willing to be reasonable.
Let’s hope so. See you at the bargaining table.
Ur=
dhdh
