Mike Leach says Saturday’s Kentucky Derby shows why the College Football Playoff needs to be expanded. The Mississippi State head coach shared his thoughts on Twitter Saturday night, hours after Rich Strike, an 80/1 longshot, won at Churchill Downs.

That horse winning the Kentucky Derby today, is good example of why an expanded college football playoff is needed. That horse hadn’t won all the races leading up, but it got its chance and that’s what happened.

— Mike Leach (@Coach_Leach) May 8, 2022

Leach noted that Rich Strike, an also-eligible horse that was added to the field Friday, had not won its most recent races. According to its race history on the Kentucky Derby website, Rich Strike had finished third, fourth and fifth in its 3 most recent races before Saturday. Seeing an 80/1 longshot come from behind to win in thrilling fashion made Saturday’s race one for the ages.

The overhead view makes Rich Strike’s comeback for the upset @KentuckyDerby win look even more incredible. 😮 #KyDerby | @ChurchillDowns pic.twitter.com/iDfkGVZS0O

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 8, 2022

Leach has long been calling for an expanded College Football Playoff field. While CFP expansion discussion usually focuses on 8- or 12-team models, Leach has suggested a 64-team field a la college basketball’s March Madness.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.