What higher approach to change a unfavourable narrative — to finish the outrage — than with one thing totally outrageous?
The convention is floating the idea of a 24- or 28-team CFP.
Within the bigger model, the Massive Ten and SEC would obtain seven computerized bids, with the ACC and Massive 12 getting 5.
Convention championship video games could be eradicated.
The opening-round video games could be performed on the second Saturday in December, the day at the moment reserved for Military-Navy and the Heisman Trophy presentation.
It’s not the incremental playoff growth, from 12 groups to 14 or 16, that has been mentioned and debated by the ability convention commissioners for months.
It’s a whole restructuring of the postseason that may (probably) start in 2027 and have huge penalties for the game.
The idea makes zero sense and a great deal of sense on the identical time, particularly if Petitti’s purpose is to recast his earlier proposal as tame.
Months in the past, the Massive Ten crafted a 16-team CFP with 13 computerized qualifiers, together with 4 every for the Massive Ten and SEC. The thought appeared radical on the time, encountered fast pushback and struggled for traction. Finally, a counterproposal by the Massive 12, with 5 computerized qualifiers and 11 at-large berths, gained assist.
What higher approach to normalize the unconventional than by providing up the ridiculous?
And simply to be clear: We imagine Petitti’s unique plan had appreciable benefit — that the downstream, multi-year influence on regular-season schedules would profit your entire sport.
(The largest drawback with the so-called AQ format was the messaging. Petitti, a former Main League Baseball government, didn’t promote it to the general public. And in school sports activities, to a far higher extent than the professionals, public opinion issues.)
So the Hotline isn’t hardwired to withstand no matter proposals the Massive Ten places forth.
However a 24- or 28-team playoff? Exhausting go.
It’s loaded with flaws, beginning with the probably influence on the three-month common season that has at all times been the lifeblood of the game. If 14 of the 34 mixed groups within the SEC and Massive Ten (41 p.c) are assured playoff bids earlier than a single end result has been posted, the Saturday drama would plunge — and take curiosity with it.
Oh, and don’t overlook: The proposal carves out two at-large spots, so there could be room for an eighth, and presumably ninth entrant from both the Massive Ten or SEC.
Groups with .500 data (total) might take part.
Groups that lose to Appalachian State might get in.
There are different hurdles.
The super-sized playoff would devastate the bowl system. That may please some followers and business officers, however it gained’t sit properly in sure corners.
Moreover, the expanded, five-round occasion would power ESPN to rethink its programming technique.
The community owns the rights to the CFP by way of the 2031 season and, presumably, must approve the unconventional change.
Would ESPN need the extra video games?
May the change open a pathway for Fox, the Massive Ten’s media accomplice, to seize a chunk of the postseason stock?
And would the elimination of convention championship video games result in ESPN and Fox tearing up their present media rights contracts and negotiating new offers with the ability conferences that account for a devalued common season?
There are a litany of unknowns at this level.
The 24- and 28-team codecs reportedly haven’t been shared with the SEC, ACC or Massive 12. That can change within the coming days.
The fashions might be tweaked or trashed.
All we all know at this level is any format modifications for the 2026 season have to be handed alongside to ESPN earlier than the tip of 2025.
Additionally, we all know the 16-team proposal by the Massive Ten lately thought-about radical now seems affordable by comparability.
