How a 24-Team Playoff Could Dilute College Football

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A 24-Team Playoff Could Strip Meaning From College Football’s Regular Season

The anticipated expansion of the college football playoff to 24 teams could make regular-season losses far less meaningful. Even if Texas loses back-to-back games, it could remain among the top 24 teams and reach the playoff.

Under the current 12-team format, three losses can eliminate a team from contention. With 24 playoff spots, a three-loss team—and potentially even a four-loss team—could still reach the postseason. That would change the significance of regular-season games and reward teams despite multiple defeats.

College basketball offers a possible comparison. Its tournament includes 64 teams, generates substantial interest and makes significant money. College football may be headed in a similar direction, with games carrying less weight until the postseason begins in December.

However, college basketball teams from smaller conferences generally must win their conference tournaments to guarantee a place. That forces those teams to prove they are the best in their conferences. Expanding the college football playoff while diminishing conference championships would create a different dynamic.

A larger field could allow a two- or three-loss Boise State team to qualify without the same type of conference-tournament requirement. It would also reduce the incentive for teams to schedule difficult nonconference opponents during the regular season.

If the expanded playoff resembles last year’s postseason, the teams at the top could overwhelm those at the bottom. Even so, the financial incentive appears to outweigh concerns about competitive balance, regular-season ratings and the overall quality of the sport.

More playoff games mean more money, which is also why baseball and the NFL would consider adding playoff teams or games. A larger college football playoff may water down the competition, but the expectation is that audiences will continue watching and generate billions of dollars.