Pros and Cons for the 24-Team College Football Playoff

On Tuesday, May 26, SportsCenter on ESPN had a segment on the SEC kicking off spring meetings in Destin, Florida. One of the topics is the possible expansion of the College Football Playoff. The Big Ten Conference has proposed for the expansion of going to 24 teams.

The Big 12 and the ACC are now on board, but the SEC is the only Power 4 conference stepping in the way. Originally, no one except the Big Ten was for this 24-team model because of the Big Ten’s proposal of automatic qualifiers. In this proposal, the Big Ten and SEC would get up to possibly four automatic bids while the Big 12 and ACC would get fewer spots. Because the Big 12 and ACC disagreed with this model, the Big Ten revised the proposal with a selection-based model. It would be the 23 best teams plus a Group of Six team.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has been sticking with expanding to 16 teams, but he’s willing to open up the conversation. SEC Network host Paul Finebaum has expressed concern over the potential expansion of the College Football Playoff. Finebaum, who hosts his own show every weekday on SEC Network, says it could be one of the worst decisions in college football history. He joined the SportsCenter segment as well on May 26.

“I know that sounds hyperbolic, coming from me of course,” said Finebaum. “But it makes little or no sense and frankly doesn’t any sense. This is not little league where the seventh place team gets a trophy. It’s absurd to let an 8-4 team in that has no business being in the playoff. But unfortunately, it seems like we’re trending in that direction.”

Here are my pros and cons to the newly proposed 24-team playoff.

PROS:

1. It would give more teams the opportunity to compete for a national championship. There could potentially be a Cinderella or two in the mix which would create even more chaos in the postseason.

2. There would be more revenue in college football. Money always talks when it comes to college football. More postseason games? More money coming in of course.

3. There could be bigger non-conference games instead of cupcake games. Oklahoma Athletic Director Roger Denny mentioned the possible return of Bedlam if this 24-team model happens.

4. It could boost success for the middle class of teams. Fox college football analyst Joel Klatt deeply discussed this in one of his most recent podcasts. Klatt argues that upper tier bowl games aren’t a drive for success anymore for the middle class. “All the middle class in college football is looking for is an opportunity to say ‘Please give us the opportunity to play meaningful games as it relates to the most meaningful thing in the sport whether it’s regular season games or in the playoff. Give us a chance once every five years or once every ten years to define ourselves as successful.’” Joel Klatt said. Based on the 24-team playoff, he also goes on to argue that these teams can gain support from donors, recruiting, season ticket holders, etc.

Based on Oklahoma State’s recent seasons, the Cowboys could be in the College Football Playoff more often. And just like Klatt’s argument, it could boost Oklahoma State’s recruiting.

CONS: 

1. It could devalue the regular season. Klatt also argues this and I agree with him. For example, let's say you're Texas and Texas A&M. The two teams are scheduled to face off during Week 13 of the regular season. Let's also say that both teams know for certain they will make the College Football Playoff no matter the outcome of this game. This would most likely result in the teams resting their starters since the game would have no meaning other than maybe seeding. We already see starters resting during the final week of the NFL regular season. 

2. It could turn into the football edition of March Madness. What I mean is it could create more chaos with bubble teams. For example, the 25th and 26th ranked teams arguing why they should be in the playoff. What's the result? Potentially even more expansion just like the basketball tournament. Next season's basketball tournament will now feature 76 teams instead of 68. 

3. Most fans do not want this. Klatt, who has one of the biggest followings in all of college football, hears the frustration of loyal football fans. "I know that you aren't behind this as a fan," Klatt said on his podcast. "I see the comments. I see social media. And guess what? You (the fans) are college football in a lot of ways. The reason that there is more revenue in college football than ever before is because of you. It's because you show up and you watch the games." 

CONCLUSION: There most likely won't be a final decision until everyone knows more from the SEC. This decision of the College Football Playoff could impact the sport in so many ways.