Paul Finebaum blasts College Football Playoffs problem, offers solution

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The College Football Playoff has become one of the most polarizing postseason formats in sports, not because of the entertainment surrounding the pursuit of college football’s top prize, but because of the selection process. With so many variables to consider, every decision faces intense scrutiny.

As the College Football Playoff prepares to expand beyond its current 12-team format, several questions remain. How much expansion is too much? And what changes, if any, should be made to the selection process? One prominent figure in the college football world recently criticized the committee’s approach.

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However, Paul Finebaum did offer a “simple” solution: scheduling. According to Finebaum, the College Football Playoff committee needs to place greater emphasis on a team’s schedule when evaluating playoff candidates.

“The schedule should be a factor,” Finebaum said on his show. “I don’t think the committee places enough weight on that schedule.”

Finebaum may have a point. In several instances, the committee has appeared to overlook strength of schedule. Some might point to a team like JMU earning a spot over ACC champion Duke as an example. However, the issue is not quite that simple.

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If strength of schedule carries more weight in the selection process, conferences that play more challenging nonconference schedules could find themselves at a disadvantage. While the SEC and Big Ten are typically strong from top to bottom, the ACC and Big 12 can vary significantly from year to year.

At the same time, some conferences simply do not provide schedules that compare favorably to those of traditional power conferences. While the committee aims to give deserving teams an opportunity, that approach does not always produce the best outcome.

Teams like JMU and Tulane were soundly defeated in the opening round of the playoff. Regardless of the committee’s intentions, those games did not provide a particularly compelling product. Perhaps Finebaum’s suggestion deserves more consideration.

Until the sport develops a more refined formula, debates like these are likely to remain a part of the playoff process. Every year, fans and analysts will argue over what the committee got right and wrong. That ongoing debate may simply be part of the College Football Playoff experience.

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