What’s the ideal number of college football playoff teams?

This calendar year, we’ll see the advent of the 12-team college football playoff, kicking off at four campuses a few days before Christmas. It’s a massive expansion from the current four-team model, which wraps up Monday night when Michigan faces Washington. But the 12-team playoff is only set for the next two years. After that, who knows? Let’s run down the options.

Four teams

The deal: As it turns out, four is a really good number for ensuring some absolute playoff heaters. Both semifinal games were thrillers, and the championship looks like it will be more of the same.

The likelihood of it happening: Again, you mean? None. Power 5 schools feeding into a four-team playoff always had the possibility for chaos; it’s just the CFP’s luck that it didn’t show up for 10 years. But after this year’s CFP left out undefeated Florida State and world-beating Georgia, no way anyone goes back to the four-team model.

Teams in this year: You already know this. Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama.

Eight teams

The deal: This is probably the optimal limit to ensure reasonably competitive games in the first round. The transfer portal and NIL incentives will distribute talent enough to make upsets possible, even likely in some cases. Beyond eight teams, the talent distribution will get thinner and thinner.

The likelihood: Nonexistent now that the 12-team playoff is in place. Nobody’s leaving the revenue from those extra four games on the table now. Plus, an eight-team framework doesn’t leave room for a Group of 5 conference champion to make the field.

Teams in this year: All of the above, plus Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon

Starting next season, it’s going to be a lot harder to earn one of these. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

12 teams

The deal: The system that will debut later this year. Top four teams get a bye; top…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-01-04 14:57:52

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