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Could we see a push toward a playoff expansion sometime soon?
NCAA President Mark Emmert said Wednesday that he would be in favor of an eight-team College Football Playoff bracket in the future so that “all Power 5 conference champions are guaranteed a bid,” according to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.
Since the playoff model was set into place, two conferences have been shut out: the Big 12 (2014, 2016) and the Pac-12 (2015). Expanding the playoff to eight would at the very least accommodate all five conference champions, along with quality non-conference winners and a possible Group of 5 champion that are also deserving of a bid.
For example, if college football had an eight-team playoff this season, here’s how the bracket would look:
(1) Alabama vs. (8) Wisconsin
(4) Washington vs. (5) Penn State
(3) Ohio State vs. (6) Michigan
(2) Clemson vs. (7) Oklahoma
It’s an interesting thought that will be certainly be discussed often throughout the coming years, especially if Emmert continues to be a strong advocate.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
