FOX Sports analyst RJ Young has released his final iteration of a 24-team College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket, raising discussions about the postseason structure in college football. The announcement comes on the heels of Notre Dame‘s controversial decision to withdraw from bowl consideration after being excluded from the 12-team playoff. This decision reflects the team’s dissatisfaction with the selection committee’s choices.
After failing to secure an at-large bid, Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish opted to forgo the postseason entirely. Athletic director Pete Bevacqua indicated that the team’s relationship with the ACC, with which they have a scheduling agreement, is now strained. He remarked, “I wouldn’t be honest with you if I didn’t say that they have certainly done permanent damage to the relationship between the conference and Notre Dame.” Bevacqua criticized the conference for its treatment of Notre Dame during the selection process, suggesting that the comparisons made to other teams were unfair.
Impact of the Selection Process
Notre Dame’s frustration mirrors the sentiments of other strong teams like BYU, Vanderbilt, and Utah, all of which have recorded ten wins this season. They argue that the playoff structure should allow for more inclusivity, especially for teams deserving of an opportunity to compete for the national title. The current 12-team model is viewed by many as outdated, and there are calls to expand the format to ensure all deserving teams have a shot at the championship.
The discussion for expanding the CFP has been gaining traction since August, with proposals for a 24 or even 28-team format. In this proposed 24-team structure, 26 Power 4 programs would maintain a path to the postseason, including teams from the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, and ACC. This expanded format promises a more equitable chance for teams to compete, providing opportunities for schools that have performed well in their respective conferences.
Structure and Seeding of the Proposed Bracket
Under this 24-team model, the selection committee would award automatic bids to the top four teams from each of the Power 4 conferences, based on conference standings. Additionally, the two highest-ranked Group of 6 teams would also receive automatic entries. The final six spots would be filled at the committee’s discretion, taking into account factors such as head-to-head matchups, strength of record, and overall performance.
The model would feature two rounds of home games, a significant enhancement that would allow 16 different campuses to host playoff matches. The top eight teams would receive byes, while teams seeded from nine to 16 would play at home. Teams seeded from 17 to 24 would have to compete on the road twice to advance to the quarterfinals at neutral sites.
Young’s bracket reflects the current landscape of college football, where every game continues to matter. Teams that find themselves on the postseason bubble still have opportunities to improve their standings, as conference rivalries heat up in the coming weeks. The competitive nature of the sport remains at the forefront, and fans are eager to see how the playoff picture evolves.
As the season approaches its climax, the debate over playoff structure promises to intensify. The proposed expansion could reshape the landscape of college football, offering a fairer chance for all teams to compete for the prestigious national title.
