Double trouble?
The Big Ten is reportedly looking to expand the College Football Playoff by at least double the teams. According to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, the Big Ten is “floating” the idea for a 24- or 28-team College Football Playoff. That would be at a minimum a doubling increase of the current number of teams in the College Football Playoff — which is 12.
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According to the report from Thamel, the new proposed model would have these notable details:
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Eliminate the conference championship games
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Provide an enhanced number of auto bids for each power four conference: seven for the Big Ten and SEC, five for the ACC and Big 12, two for the group of five conferences and two at-large bids
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The 28-team format would put 20 playoff games on campus
The FCS level currently plays with a 24 team playoff system, with the top eight teams receiving a first round bye. The potential FBS model mentioned in Thamel’s report sounds similar if they were to move forward with the 24-team format.
This idea has received plenty of push back and mockery on social media on Saturday, with some pointing to this model ruining the regular season of college football. But I’d argue this could potentially open door for more entertaining late game seasons. In my opinion, it would also reduce the number of opt outs as teams that normally landed in the Citrus Bowl or ReliaQuest Bowl would now be playing in the College Football Playoff. That would be a positive for the game.
It’ll be interesting to see if this idea gets any legs to it or if it dies after this “floating” by the Big Ten.
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Click on the post below to read the complete story from Thamel:
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Big Ten reportedly ‘floating’ idea for massive CFP expansion
