This week, College Football Playoff leaders are set to meet in Las Colinas, Texas, for their annual spring meetings, and among the topics of discussion will be the future of the playoff format.
According to ESPN’s Heather Dinich, no major decisions are expected to be made this week, but several important topics will be discussed in detail.
One such topic will be the formats under consideration, as the current 12-team model is likely to see some significant changes going forward—and in all likelihood, changes that aren’t going to make everybody happy.
Remember, the SEC and Big Ten hold the majority of control over the format going forward, following the most recent contract negotiations, so names like Greg Sankey and Tony Petitti will carry significantly more gravity in the conversations ahead.
“The current 12-team model and another 14-team model that includes guaranteed spots for the Big Ten (four), SEC (four), ACC (two), Big 12 (two), Group of 5 (one) and one at-large spot (Notre Dame if it’s ranked high enough) have gained the most publicity, but multiple sources have indicated that some commissioners would like the CFP to present other options this week,” Dinich writes. “It’s also possible other league leaders come to the table with ideas, as there is both private and public resistance to the idea of leagues having guaranteed spots to the postseason before the games are played.”
The next part, though, is what has plenty of folks worried.
“One possibility, which could be viewed as a compromise, is having conferences earn automatic bids through their play each season. A model in which each Power 4 league can earn guaranteed spots through a combination of its teams’ overall records — and maybe even TV ratings, according to a source — could be presented. The highest-ranked conferences would earn the most automatic bids.”
If and when television ratings become a factor for determining bids for the college football playoff, I’m out. And from the looks of it, I’m far from the only one who feels that way.
Here’s to holding out hope that this never comes to pass.
