The idea of having a 14-team college football playoff is picking up a lot of steam, and for all but 34 (or so) teams in FBS, it really feels unfair, but weirdly, it may be the only realistic and somewhat good option for the other 100 or so teams.
Under the new suggested format, the Playoff would give three automatic bids to the Big 10 and SEC, two bids to the ACC and Big 12, one bid to the remaining 68 G5 teams, and three at-large bids that one can imagine would most likely always go to more Big 10 and SEC teams, with an occasional Big 12 or ACC team sprinkled in there.
The New College Football Playoff System Isn’t Fair, But It’s Safe
In terms of absolute fairness, it is far from it. But in today’s college football world, it already feels like the SEC and Big 10 are just steps away from completely dominating and running the league by themselves anyway. If this were to happen, they could dictate exactly how they want college football run, which in extreme cases (but also very realistic) meaning having an NFL style of league where the SEC and Big 10 are essentially the only true league, with the other conferences being essentially what the G5 conferences currently are.
When put that way, taking this opportunity may be in the best interest of the seven remaining conferences. Having some kind of seat at the table is better than having no seat, even if that seat feels just a bit too small or unfair.
The big question now becomes: is this just another step to complete domination, or is this a long-term format that could keep the rest of the conferences relevant and at least content with the state of college football?
The #SEC wants their top three teams in the proposed 14 team playoffs, so which three teams get in most years? 🏈 #Bama #UGA #LSU #Longhorns #Sooners #TAMU #OleMiss #Gators #Razorbacks #Mizzou #BBN #Gamecocks #HailState
— GREG SWAIM SHOW (@GSwaim) March 1, 2024
Big 10 and SEC May be Sneakily Taking Over
The first scenario that needs to be seriously looked at is whether or not this style is just a step in the direction of moving the Big 10 and SEC to their own league. As the College Football Playoff currently sits for 2024 and beyond with 12 teams, each P4 Conferences is only guarenteed to have one team, with the G5 getting one sport, and then seven at-large.
Even with the SEC and Big 10 dominating, and likely picking up anywhere from 4-6 of the remaining at-large spots, they still are only guarenteed for sure one spot, just like the ACC and Big 12. In other words, things are fair, at least sort of. With this new format, things are not fair in any way. The Big 10 and SEC would get three spots no matter what, and the other two P4’s would only get two. This already sets an official precedent that the Big 10 and SEC are better and more valuable conferences than the Big 12 and ACC. Yes, everyone knows this is the case, but from a landscape standpoint, this has never officially been stated.
One has to wonder, what would happen next? Would the Big 10 and SEC soon push for four teams each with the ACC and Big 12 only getting one guarenteed spot? Quite honestly, if it goes to that point, I’m not sure there is anyone who could really stop them. By giving them a little bit of power now, it allows them to completley have the ball in their court for any other big decision in the future.
Again, the SEC and Big 10 may have already been given so much power that this new format may be the best option. By agreeing to this, the Big 12, ACC, and G5’s at least guarantee a spot at the table, which honestly is better than being left out completely.
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