How to Improve the College Football Playoff

[FishDuck Article]

As the dust has settled over the past week on how flawed the first-year, expanded college football playoff process is, Jon Wilner, of the San Jose Mercury’s “Wilner Hotline,” (sorry, paywall) came up with three major points on improving the CFP format and selection process. 1) Eliminate the Weekly Rankings Wilner feels the five Tuesday night broadcasts on ESPN...

How to Improve the College Football Playoff | FishDuck

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Darren Perkins of FishDuck.com takes a look at possible solutions to the new expanded playoffs in college football.

 

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

If they want to keep the regular season meaningful while also keeping the conference championship games, then make them part of the playoffs. The playoff teams would consist of the eight teams fighting for P4 conference championships. This year it would be Oregon, Penn State, UGA, Texas, ASU, ISU, Clemson and SMU. The four winners advance, and the top two ranked teams get a bye in the next round.

 

Then, pick four wild-card teams. They would be the four highest ranked teams to not make their CCG. This year it would be Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ohio State and Indiana (Sorry Boise you didn't make the cut). These four teams play a wild card round on the same weekend as the CCG's.

 

The two wild card winners then play the third and fourth seeded conference champions in the second round on December 21st (this keeps their games from interfering with the Army Navy game).  For arguments sake, let's say the second round would be Notre Dame/Clemson and ASU/Ohio State. 

 

Then, the semi-finals would be played on New Year's Day. Let's say it would be Oregon/OSU and UGA/ Notre Dame. The winners would meet in the NCG two Mondays from the semi-final. They still have a 12-team playoff but the season length stays the same.

 

There will always be somebody griping about being left out, but that's life. The NFL gives deference to conference champions, so it's not unprecedented. That is why the 2008 NFL playoffs included the 8-8 Chargers but left out the 11-5 Patriots and why the 7-9 Seahawks made the NFL playoffs in 2010. This argument that the playoff needs to include the 12 top teams in the nation is a bunch of BS.

 

 

 

 

[30Duck]

The weekly Reveal Show has to go. It's emblematic of the E in ESPN standing for Entertainment, that is if that many people are really entertained by Booger McFarland, Joey Galloway and Greg McElroy arguing, Herbie doesn't do the show anymore, or Rece Davis asking the Committee Chairman questions that are answered always in the vaguest way possible.

 

Besides being only money makers, I think the CCG's should be eliminated because at best they're redundant, at worst they devalue the success of the regular season. Oregon went through the B1G regular season undefeated. Penn State had a loss. Oregon is the conference champion.

 

The model for a Playoff is right there to see in "March Madness" and it works with 68 teams.

 

The No. 8 or 9 team No.1 plays really is an 8 or 9 team.

 

Conference champions all get in, but sometimes they're a No.12 or 13 or 14. They're in, but their value isn't over inflated.

 

It really shouldn't be that hard. 

[Jon Joseph]

 

The sine qua non - Rankings equal Seedings. Not sure of the number but there is no need to rank 25 teams and artificially goose the schedule of certain teams. The SEC has 3 teams in the PO field and 50% or more of the conference was ranked during the season. Of course SEC teams will have 'Good Wins.' DUH!

 

Home games for the higher-seeded teams until the 'Super Bowl.' This so-called PO is serving two masters because the PO paymaster, Disney/ESPN, is heavily involved in bowl games. This is not that hard CFB, you only have to look at the NFL and NCAA Playoffs. 

 

As is the case with the CBB Committee, SOS and SOR have to matter uniformly and not when it suits the Committee's purpose. A group of 5 team Boise, with a poorer SOS than ASU should not be playing in Phoenix with ASU sent to Atlanta. If this happened to an SEC team Greg Sankey would be going bat spit. 

 

Like the CBB Committee, use quads to distinguish good wins and good losses. The CBB rankings are not updated every week but the metrics are updated every week without a broadcast. Like CBB, there will be plenty of discussion without a dedicated television program. Just like we see with the AP and Coaches polls.

 

The media does not run the CBB tournament other than controlling the time the games are broadcast. Yes, some fanatics will beef about CBB team No. 69 being left out but that comes with the territory (and with Dick Vitale.)

 

The CFB PO is a monetized mess with far too many cooks in the kitchen. The G5 should have its own PO. 

 

The CFB PO today will lead to the consolidation of the PO with the Power 2 and not ESPN in charge.

 

Before the start of the 2024 season, it was clear that a 12-team PO with senseless seeding might solve the Florida State bruhaha but was going to raise more issues and complaints than the 4-team PO.

 

This season? We should return to the BCS - OBD vs. Georgia - BUT NOT IN ATLANTA!

 

 

[30Duck]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:01 AM, Jon Joseph said:

As is the case with the CBB Committee, SOS and SOR have to matter uniformly and not when it suits the Committee's purpose. A group of 5 team Boise, with a poorer SOS than ASU should not be playing in Phoenix with ASU sent to Atlanta. If this happened to an SEC team Greg Sankey would be going bat spit. 

 

Like the CBB Committee, use quads to distinguish good wins and good losses.

Very true, how's Indiana's SOS or SOR  look compared to other teams in the CFP, or left out? How many Quad 1 wins did the Hoosiers rack up? Alabama did lose to Vandy and Oklahoma & Tennessee, but their SOS, SOR and Quad 1 wins were all superior to Indiana's. 

[Haywarduck]

Small Change,

 

Reduce the season to 11 games and expand the playoffs. Let the lower ranked teams play in bowl games.

 

Playoff system is all played on neutral sites, no one has an advantage.

 

Only one game against an FCS team or you're not eligible for the playoffs. Everyone plays the same number of conference games.

 

Big Change,

 

I would actually put the whole college football conference system into leveled system. If you finish the system in the top 20 you earn more $, and then play against that level the next season. If you finish out of the top 15 you drop into the next level. Those who finish at the top of the next level move up. 

 

 

 

[Jon Joseph]

CBS ideas for a Playoff fix.

 

 

Change certainly coming to College Football Playoff, but how much and when? 'Too soon to say it's broken' - CBSSports.com

WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM

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Debate over all matters related to the CFP has the attention of the game's leaders

 

It was broken from conception. This Emperor had no clothes from Day 1. 

[Darren Perkins]

On 12/17/2024 at 5:46 AM, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

If they want to keep the regular season meaningful while also keeping the conference championship games, then make them part of the playoffs. The playoff teams would consist of the eight teams fighting for P4 conference championships. This year it would be Oregon, Penn State, UGA, Texas, ASU, ISU, Clemson and SMU. The four winners advance, and the top two ranked teams get a bye in the next round.

 

Then, pick four wild-card teams. They would be the four highest ranked teams to not make their CCG. This year it would be Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ohio State and Indiana (Sorry Boise you didn't make the cut). These four teams play a wild card round on the same weekend as the CCG's.

 

The two wild card winners then play the third and fourth seeded conference champions in the second round on December 21st (this keeps their games from interfering with the Army Navy game).  For arguments sake, let's say the second round would be Notre Dame/Clemson and ASU/Ohio State. 

 

Then, the semi-finals would be played on New Year's Day. Let's say it would be Oregon/OSU and UGA/ Notre Dame. The winners would meet in the NCG two Mondays from the semi-final. They still have a 12-team playoff but the season length stays the same.

 

There will always be somebody griping about being left out, but that's life. The NFL gives deference to conference champions, so it's not unprecedented. That is why the 2008 NFL playoffs included the 8-8 Chargers but left out the 11-5 Patriots and why the 7-9 Seahawks made the NFL playoffs in 2010. This argument that the playoff needs to include the 12 top teams in the nation is a bunch of BS.

 

 

 

 

Great points!

[Darren Perkins]

On 12/17/2024 at 5:46 AM, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

If they want to keep the regular season meaningful while also keeping the conference championship games, then make them part of the playoffs. The playoff teams would consist of the eight teams fighting for P4 conference championships. This year it would be Oregon, Penn State, UGA, Texas, ASU, ISU, Clemson and SMU. The four winners advance, and the top two ranked teams get a bye in the next round.

 

Then, pick four wild-card teams. They would be the four highest ranked teams to not make their CCG. This year it would be Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ohio State and Indiana (Sorry Boise you didn't make the cut). These four teams play a wild card round on the same weekend as the CCG's.

 

The two wild card winners then play the third and fourth seeded conference champions in the second round on December 21st (this keeps their games from interfering with the Army Navy game).  For arguments sake, let's say the second round would be Notre Dame/Clemson and ASU/Ohio State. 

 

Then, the semi-finals would be played on New Year's Day. Let's say it would be Oregon/OSU and UGA/ Notre Dame. The winners would meet in the NCG two Mondays from the semi-final. They still have a 12-team playoff but the season length stays the same.

 

There will always be somebody griping about being left out, but that's life. The NFL gives deference to conference champions, so it's not unprecedented. That is why the 2008 NFL playoffs included the 8-8 Chargers but left out the 11-5 Patriots and why the 7-9 Seahawks made the NFL playoffs in 2010. This argument that the playoff needs to include the 12 top teams in the nation is a bunch of BS.

 

 

 

 

Yes, if ur griping about getting left out, then....play better!

[Darren Perkins]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:01 AM, Jon Joseph said:

 

The sine qua non - Rankings equal Seedings. Not sure of the number but there is no need to rank 25 teams and artificially goose the schedule of certain teams. The SEC has 3 teams in the PO field and 50% or more of the conference was ranked during the season. Of course SEC teams will have 'Good Wins.' DUH!

 

Home games for the higher-seeded teams until the 'Super Bowl.' This so-called PO is serving two masters because the PO paymaster, Disney/ESPN, is heavily involved in bowl games. This is not that hard CFB, you only have to look at the NFL and NCAA Playoffs. 

 

As is the case with the CBB Committee, SOS and SOR have to matter uniformly and not when it suits the Committee's purpose. A group of 5 team Boise, with a poorer SOS than ASU should not be playing in Phoenix with ASU sent to Atlanta. If this happened to an SEC team Greg Sankey would be going bat spit. 

 

Like the CBB Committee, use quads to distinguish good wins and good losses. The CBB rankings are not updated every week but the metrics are updated every week without a broadcast. Like CBB, there will be plenty of discussion without a dedicated television program. Just like we see with the AP and Coaches polls.

 

The media does not run the CBB tournament other than controlling the time the games are broadcast. Yes, some fanatics will beef about CBB team No. 69 being left out but that comes with the territory (and with Dick Vitale.)

 

The CFB PO is a monetized mess with far too many cooks in the kitchen. The G5 should have its own PO. 

 

The CFB PO today will lead to the consolidation of the PO with the Power 2 and not ESPN in charge.

 

Before the start of the 2024 season, it was clear that a 12-team PO with senseless seeding might solve the Florida State bruhaha but was going to raise more issues and complaints than the 4-team PO.

 

This season? We should return to the BCS - OBD vs. Georgia - BUT NOT IN ATLANTA!

 

 

Great input!

[Darren Perkins]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:58 AM, Haywarduck said:

Small Change,

 

Reduce the season to 11 games and expand the playoffs. Let the lower ranked teams play in bowl games.

 

Playoff system is all played on neutral sites, no one has an advantage.

 

Only one game against an FCS team or you're not eligible for the playoffs. Everyone plays the same number of conference games.

 

Big Change,

 

I would actually put the whole college football conference system into leveled system. If you finish the system in the top 20 you earn more $, and then play against that level the next season. If you finish out of the top 15 you drop into the next level. Those who finish at the top of the next level move up. 

 

 

 

I hear ya and agree,, but reducing games/eliminating conference championship games is a non-starter, too much money on the line. 

[Haywarduck]

On 12/17/2024 at 1:42 PM, Darren Perkins said:

I hear ya and agree,, but reducing games/eliminating conference championship games is a non-starter, too much money on the line. 

I get it but if Oregon wins the conference outright, there is no reason for Oregon to play another game. The next two teams should play to try to win the chance to get in to the playoff. If the goal is to get into the playoffs, then conference championship games are irrelevant, unless needed. Really just a play in game.

 

We need a whole new system for this larger playoff format to work based on a meritocracy, which is the only way it should work.

 

I also think the playoffs are going to generate all the money needed to justify any changes.

 

The real change is waking up and realizing this is a whole different ball game when you have a large format playoff. You need to make big changes.

 

The Pac-12 is dead, this is only going to work if the SEC and the BIG die too! Time for a true system based on merit not made up conferences from long ago going forward.

 

The real risk is the playoffs become a joke. OK I said it, that the beginning of what needs to happen, and I think what we will see soon enough. We are in the second inning of this new format.

[Charles Fischer]

Go to 16 teams, as we are playing four rounds as it is now.  No bye for anyone, as No. 1 plays No. 16 in the first round, etc.  Seeding becomes legit!

 

Second option: go to 14 teams, with the No. 1 and No. 2 seed sitting out the first round.  Conference champions are automatically in the Playoff, but could be seeded No. 16, as Boise State should be now.

 

 

[GeotechDuck]

On 12/17/2024 at 11:15 AM, Charles Fischer said:

Go to 16 teams, as we are playing four rounds as it is now.  No bye for anyone, as No. 1 plays No. 16 in the first round, etc.  Seeding becomes legit!

 

Second option: go to 14 teams, with the No. 1 and No. 2 seed sitting out the first round.  Conference champions are automatically in the Playoff, but could be seeded No. 16, as Boise State should be now.

 

 

I like Option 1 with eliminating the CCGs. Just let the 16 best teams in at the end of the regular season and include the conference winners. Then seed them properly.  
 

Is getting a bye an advantage in this format?  In addition to the current seeding issues, I believe the bigger issue is that these teams are going to be off for 25+ days between games.  I am curious to see how that plays out. 

Edited Tuesday at 09:21 PM by GeotechDuck