Texas’ Steve Sarkisian pushes for CFP expansion, points to NFL playoffs
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It seems like the question of whether to expand the College Football Playoff (CFP) has moved from a recurring discussion to a central issue, with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian among those pushing for a wider field.
From the four-team, single-elimination format from 2014 to 2023, which replaced the Bowl Championship Series, the CFP has expanded to the current 12-team field, including a first round of playoffs before the knockout matches in the New Year’s Six bowl games and the national championship game.
On the “Get Got Pod With Marshawn Lynch,” Sarkisian said the CFP has to expand anew to make it more competitive and ensure that the top programs have a chance to qualify for the postseason, citing the NFL as a reference.
“I do think we need more teams in. Like I said, in the NFL, 14 out of 32 (teams qualify for the playoffs). 12 out of 65 (in college football), not great odds,” said Sarkisian.
“We got fanbases right now that it’s playoff or bust (for them), and there’s just not a lot of room to get in. Especially when one of the 12 is a P-Five (Power Five), they get an automatic bid. Last year, they got two in, so it’s really only 10 spots. So a lot of good teams, us included, got left out.”
Texas was not awarded a ticket to the CFP this year despite finishing with a 10-3 record, including 6-2 in the SEC. The Longhorns won the Citrus Bowl after walloping Michigan, 41-27.
Expanding the CFP would allow conference champions from across the country to have a clearer path, and late-season games would carry higher stakes for more teams.
The argument against it is that it might dilute the regular season, as it might give more teams more margin for error. There is also the issue of competitive balance, which might result in lopsided contests in the CFP.
Related: Texas football’s Steve Sarkisian takes shot at programs using courts to bypass NCAA rules
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