Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, is on board with a 24-team College Football Playoff (CFP) and believes it's the best path forward for the sport. In my opinion, this is a fascinating development, as it raises a deeper question about the future of college football and the role of postseason play. What makes this particularly intriguing is the potential impact on the regular season and the scheduling of marquee non-conference games. From my perspective, the current system is working for Notre Dame, and a 24-team playoff could elevate the regular season by encouraging more programs to take on bigger games.
One thing that immediately stands out is the potential for CFP expansion to quiet college coaches' saber-rattling about canceling marquee non-conference games. If expansion makes regular-season losses less punitive, more programs would be willing to take on bigger games, which would be critical to maintaining a football schedule good enough to get into the CFP. Personally, I think this is a win-win situation for college football, as it would elevate the regular season and provide more opportunities for teams to compete at the highest level.
However, there are also drawbacks to consider. Bevacqua acknowledges the revenue issues of dropping conference championship games to make room for the extra CFP games. In my view, this is a valid concern, as conference championship games are an important part of the college football landscape. Nevertheless, the momentum for expansion is undeniable, and it's just a question of what that means for the future of the sport.
What many people don't realize is that CFP expansion could also make the return of the Notre Dame-USC series easier. Bevacqua sees this as a positive development, as it would be great for both schools and college football as a whole. However, the two sides are still engaged in conversations about resuming the series, and it's not clear when or if it will happen.
In conclusion, the 24-team CFP is a fascinating development that raises important questions about the future of college football. While there are valid concerns about the potential drawbacks, the momentum for expansion is undeniable, and it's just a question of what that means for the sport. Personally, I think a 24-team playoff is the best solution, as it would elevate the regular season and provide more opportunities for teams to compete at the highest level.
