A 12 team Playoff isn't Happening in 2023; What it could Look like if it was Happening.

[Jon Joseph]

12 team playoff? The Playoff suggested by a committee of the SEC, B12, MW commissioners and the Notre Dame AD, isn't close to coming to fruition. Why, when CFB post--COVID needs the dues?

 

Egoism, jealousy, add other deadly sins and the old saw, academic integrity, mean that we are stuck with a four team so-called playoff field through 2025. We assume that the guys and gals who manage the P5 and G5 are intelligent, right? But tribal affiliation as has always been the case with our species, trumps logic and common sense. It's every conference for itself. This, while at same time the 32 owners of NFL teams just gave us a great group of playoff quarter-finals, semi-finals and a to the wire Super Bowl. 

 

There is nothing new under the CFB sun.

 

Passing on a 12 team playoff that could have been initiated in 2023 is costing every G5 team at least $5 to $10M and every P5 team $20 to $30M. Standing still at a 4 team field, approximately 3% of the teams competing for a title, through 2025 is simply stupid. Stupidity authored by folks who should know better.

 

Using Stewart Mandel's post signing day preseason rankings for 2022, this is what a 12 team playoff as suggested by the committee could have been come 2023.

 

1. Alabama - SEC vs. 9. At Large (AL) Michigan at 8. AL Michigan State

 

2. Ohio State - B1G vs. 10. AL North Carolina State at 7. AL Notre Dame

 

3. Clemson - ACC vs. 11. B12 Baylor at 6. AL Texas A+M

 

4. Utah - Pac-12 vs. 12. AAC Cincinnati at 5. AL Georgia

 

The top 6 conference finishers and 6 AL constitute the playoff field. 

 

Much needed money would rain down. Under the guise of NIL pay-for-play, players could have been compensated for competing in the 12 team playoff. The NY6 Bowls could be used for quarter-final and semi-final games.

 

I know this is not a hot Oregon CFB topic. But it is the off season so why not ponder what could have been?

 

CFB: We have met the enemy and it is us.

 

 

[Jon Joseph]

Sorry, I meant to note that but 1 Pac-12 team in this scenario would be in the playoff field. Better than all but 2 playoff seasons but still seriously lacking grid on the gridiron.