How Would College Football Change if the Playoff System Expanded? (2025)

By Jason Bolton August 08, 2024 23:38

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The college football landscape is nearly on the verge of a massive overhaul with an expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) system. The playoff is currently four teams, but it's in conversation to expand soon. In considering an expansion of the CFP to 12 teams, this article examines what such a move could mean. It covers regular season dynamics, postseason structure, selection processes, things discussed before, and financial factors, among other topics related to student-athletes' experience.

The Dynamics of the Regular Season Will Change

The Meaning of the Regular Season Games Increases

Expanded playoffs would also water down the drama of regular season games. This is because the top four teams are often in place far before the end of a season, so late-season matchups need more ferocity. These would accommodate more competition for the lower playoff seeds, with every team fighting to get in. That could ratchet up the competitiveness of rivalries and regular season conference games for those schools that are not just trying to get into a bowl but to advance from there.

Scheduling Adjustments

If an expanded playoff happens, it might force teams to alter loading strategies. It could lead to coaches scheduling harder non-conference opponents as they look for more chances at building their playoff resumes and, in turn, an even tougher competition landscape. On the other hand, this could lead to more risks of injuries and fatigue since teams will be playing in an even heavier traveling schedule. Moreover, changes to team strategies for bye weeks and managing player workloads throughout the season could be in favor due to the playoff format.

How it Impacts Conference Championship Games:

Conference Championships

As more teams compete for playoff spots, conference championships could again hold weight. Right now, winning a conference title is virtually an automatic way to get into the playoffs, but in a larger setup, things wouldn't that be straight forward. They would presumably be the cream of each conference's crop, but competing for that treasure could add another layer of incentive on top of playoff disputes.

The Future of Bowl Games

The future of traditional bowl games remains one of the most hot-button issues regarding playoff expansion. A lot of bowl games will lose some luster for fans and players as the playoff gets off and running. With how the current system is set up, you have only a few games that matter in January, and what we could end up seeing are non-playoff bowl games seen as "failed seasons," which would not be good for college football. Such a change can relegate those contests, which is more damaging for games that may not help but also won't hurt; it will lead to less play or few view counts, which could be another hit in an already lowly college football culture.

Changes in Selection Criteria

Of course, if the postseason is blown up to allow for more teams, there will have to be a rethinking of how those who advance are determined. Strength of schedule, conference championships, and overall performance are the primary criteria for evaluating teams in their rankings. Adding more teams to the pot would muddle up the selection criteria, and with it could come debates about which squads warrant a place over others. It could also infuse playoff seasons with an even stronger measure of conference champs, as automatic bids for the top-ranked champions may be able to enter into more playoff games.

Challenges from a Financial, Logistic, and Organizational Perspective

Financial Implications

The economics of a playoff expansion become far more important about more playoff games, with a payout of ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsoring. But it does so at a cost, as the move will also result in higher travel costs for teams and possibly create facility challenges in hosting more games. Their revenue sharing could be another point of contention under those circumstances, especially if the SEC and Big Ten, which rule over football but otherwise, are in various states of disarray as it relates to college athletics bosses seeking a bigger cut.

Logistical Considerations

An expanded playoff system would have to be implemented meticulously. This encompasses everything from setting game times to securing the game location and ensuring enough time to prepare between contests. More travel could complicate matters for student-athletes, who are also students and must ensure playoff dates are separate from finals.

Effects on Athletes and Coaches

Effects on Student-Athletes

While the developments above benefit student-athletes, other repercussions may mire their benefits. On the benefit side, it provides teams to participate in a national title, which would be an even better overall experience for those players. However, there are concerns that more games could result in "additional physical strain" on players. Moreover, those upper-echelon games come laden with high stakes; the demands to perform in crunch time could take a toll on their academic responsibilities and only complicate more what is already a tough balance between being student-athletes.

Coaching Implications

A bigger playoff would put more pressure on coaches to deliver. This could force the coaching staff to run a risk of higher turnover with more teams in the hunt. With a massive playoff field, coaches may have to adjust their methods with consideration for learning new opponents on the fly and how much rest to give certain players so they can be fresh even if earnings calls.

For better or worse, how the College Football Playoff system may expand marks a turning point in the timeline of college football. But playing them in the fall, well before New Year's Day or potentially postseason play, could have everyone better prepared for what life might be like In an uncertain sports reality that drops raw data clues about how they behave during games. Those changes will provide opportunities for all stakeholders.

Still, there also needs to exist a delicate balance between chasing new prospects and not sacrificing the traditions and values that have made college football so special. And the ripple effects of playoff expansion will be felt for at least a generation and maybe much longer than that as we continue down this uncertain future road in college football.

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