College Football Playoff Expansion?

[GowerND11]

I was thinking we'd get a 6-8 team playoff at some point. But the NCAA just jumped from 4 to 12 and soon 14. Too much, too fast IMO.

$$$$$$$$$$

That's all it's about. Nothing else. Fuck traditions. Fuck rivalries. Fuck the fans. Fuck on campus games. Fuck the college experience and tailgates. Fuck bowl games. How many zeroes can we add onto the bottom line? Squeeze every last bit of TV, ad, ticket, streaming, etc. revenue we can right now. Who cares about the health of the sport in 10, 20, 30 years.

 

[stlnd01]

I realize details are still being hammered out but - aside from adding two spots - I don't entirely understand what's so different here.
Aren't P4 conference champs and one G5 guaranteed a spot in the 12-team playoff?
I had read something about them considering three or four autobids for the Big Ten/SEC - which is deck-stacking bullshit even if most of those spots in practice would usually go to B1G/SEC teams - but that doesn't appear to be in the deal, as of now.

 

[stlnd01]

Ah, more details here. Looks like it's mainly about how the money gets split up. It seems we're guaranteed at least $12M/year. Which is more than we usually get now but also substantially less than, say, Northwestern or Vandy will get. SEC/BIG still maybe could stack the deck, or maybe not?

Sources: Conferences, ND agree to new CFP deal

A new contract for the College Football Playoff has been agreed to, sources told ESPN's Heather Dinich and Pete Thamel. The new deal begins in 2026 with a 14-team playoff still a possibility.

www.espn.com

 

[NDohio]

CFP leaders agree to framework through at least '31; expansion on hold

College football has yet to experience a 12-team playoff, but the sport is now one step closer to agreeing on an even larger field.

theathletic.com

Multiple sources briefed on the revenue model confirmed the new breakdown to be roughly 29 percent annually for both the Big Ten and SEC (more than $21 million per school), 17 percent for the ACC (around $13 million each), 15 percent for the Big 12 ($12 million each) and 9 percent for the Group of 5 conferences collectively (around $1.8 million per school). The remainder goes to independents, including more than $12 million for Notre Dame, and the Football Championship Subdivision. There is an additional performance bonus available only to independents for making the CFP field; Notre Dame would receive an additional $6 million for making the Playoff, putting its payout within striking distance of the Big Ten and SEC in those years.

 

[Lberry]

Independence continues to be a disadvantage at every turn. We're about 5 turns past being independent making sense:

Big10 teams: $75 million television + $21 million CFP = $96 million a year per team

SEC teams: $65 million television + $24 million CFP = $89 million a year per team

Notre Dame: $67 million ($50 million from NBC plus $17 partial ACC payments) + $13 million from CPF = $80 million per year

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Independence continues to be a disadvantage at every turn. We're about 5 turns past being independent making sense:

Big10 teams: $75 million television + $21 million CFP = $96 million a year per team

SEC teams: $65 million television + $24 million CFP = $89 million a year per team

Notre Dame: $67 million ($50 million from NBC plus $17 partial ACC payments) + $13 million from CPF = $80 million per year

We don't need money.

 

[Lberry]

We don't need money.

Yet we have been talking about gug improvements for a decade because we "don't have the money yet". Just one example.

We also don't need scheduling difficulties, ACC refs, forced 1st round playoff games.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Yet we have been talking about gug improvements for a decade because we "don't have the money yet". Just one example.

We also don't need scheduling difficulties, ACC refs, forced 1st round playoff games.

Virtue > Money

 

[irish2104]

We are making significantly more than 50 from NBC and we get a bonus for making and also winning games… think ND knows how to make money

 

[SeekNDestroy]

I’m for whatever is going to give ND the best chance at a title. It really sucked watching a comparable team (Michigan) win this year. That easily could’ve been our Irish.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

I’m for whatever is going to give ND the best chance at a title. It really sucked watching a comparable team (Michigan) win this year. That easily could’ve been our Irish.

A huge difference was scheduling.

 

[ulukinatme]

I’m for whatever is going to give ND the best chance at a title. It really sucked watching a comparable team (Michigan) win this year. That easily could’ve been our Irish.

For real, having your enemy waltz into a weak playoff is disappointing, especially when Georgia stumbled at the goal line, Alabama was transitioning, Clemson is also down, and the rest of the field wasn't that impressive as some past playoffs. Then they end up winning after cheating to get there, vomit inducing. Really hope that title gets pulled.

 

[GATTACA!]

For real, having your enemy waltz into a weak playoff is disappointing, especially when Georgia stumbled at the goal line, Alabama was transitioning, Clemson is also down, and the rest of the field wasn't that impressive as some past playoffs. Then they end up winning after cheating to get there, vomit inducing. Really hope that title gets pulled.

I'd take 10 USC titles over 1 for Michigan.

 

[ulukinatme]

I'd take 10 USC titles over 1 for Michigan.

It hurts to say it, but yes. You respect a rival in USC. You don't respect an enemy.

 

[GATTACA!]

It hurts to say it, but yes. You respect a rival in USC. You don't respect an enemy.

Filthy shameless cheaters too.

 

[pumpdog20]

Are we sure ND would get an Independent bonus along with the guaranteed $12M? That doesn't seem right.

 

[NorthDakota]

For real, having your enemy waltz into a weak playoff is disappointing, especially when Georgia stumbled at the goal line, Alabama was transitioning, Clemson is also down, and the rest of the field wasn't that impressive as some past playoffs. Then they end up winning after cheating to get there, vomit inducing. Really hope that title gets pulled.

Tbh I think Clemson is about cooked as a championship team. They got lucky and landed a couple of generational qb's back to back. Watch them go do it again now that I said that lmao

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Filthy shameless cheaters too.

You forgot racist Nazi klan members too

 

[NDohio]

Are we sure ND would get an Independent bonus along with the guaranteed $12M? That doesn't seem right.

I've seen it in several different articles. I think it's real.

 

[irishff1014]

$$$$$$$$$$

That's all it's about. Nothing else. Fuck traditions. Fuck rivalries. Fuck the fans. Fuck on campus games. Fuck the college experience and tailgates. Fuck bowl games. How many zeroes can we add onto the bottom line? Squeeze every last bit of TV, ad, ticket, streaming, etc. revenue we can right now. Who cares about the health of the sport in 10, 20, 30 years.

100% correct

 

[irishandy]

$$$$$$$$$$

That's all it's about. Nothing else. Fuck traditions. Fuck rivalries. Fuck the fans. Fuck on campus games. Fuck the college experience and tailgates. Fuck bowl games. How many zeroes can we add onto the bottom line? Squeeze every last bit of TV, ad, ticket, streaming, etc. revenue we can right now. Who cares about the health of the sport in 10, 20, 30 years.

This is why I think ND should remain independent, sit back, and watch the sport blow up.

$$$ is ruining the sport and hopefully Nick Saban's voice will open some eyes.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Predictions sure to go wrong:

I think bowl games will soon be a thing of the past. If a team doesn’t make the CFP, the staff will want to focus on the portal not some scrimmage game & a Duke’s Mayo bath. Knowing how important the opportunity to practice for bowls is to teams, the NCAA (or conferences) will allow all teams to participate in workouts in December. The bowls outside of the CFP will not generate enough money for the schools to reconsider.

IMO, the conference championship games will soon be gone as the conference commissioners will collude and then plead their case to the public, “What about our student-athletes?!?! They’re basically playing an NFL schedule”. Hopefully, Swarbrick knows this as well and planned accordingly for when that happens b/c that’s the sole reason ND can’t get a bye right now as the CFP format stands.

Additionally, I think you’ll see teams who have no shot at the CFP, start planning for the future. Some out of necessity as their key players may opt out of the remaining games to prepare for the draft or enter portal. Others will be to truly move on from the current graduating class knowing they can’t help them the following year. There will be no blowback from recruits b/c this will be the new normal. Especially if players become employees. If/when that happens, there will be more players getting cut for underperformance.

It could be a harsh new world for these 18 year olds entering college but there’s also a good chance they’ll be unionized which could protect them from being cut earlier than what a team may want to do. I don’t think the majority of the fanbases quit watching (especially in the South) but there will be some big shakeups coming sooner or later.

 

[ulukinatme]

Predictions sure to go wrong:

I think bowl games will soon be a thing of the past. If a team doesn’t make the CFP, the staff will want to focus on the portal not some scrimmage game & a Duke’s Mayo bath. Knowing how important the opportunity to practice for bowls is to teams, the NCAA (or conferences) will allow all teams to participate in workouts in December. The bowls outside of the CFP will not generate enough money for the schools to reconsider.

IMO, the conference championship games will soon be gone as the conference commissioners will collude and then plead their case to the public, “What about our student-athletes?!?! They’re basically playing an NFL schedule”. Hopefully, Swarbrick knows this as well and planned accordingly for when that happens b/c that’s the sole reason ND can’t get a bye right now as the CFP format stands.

Additionally, I think you’ll see teams who have no shot at the CFP, start planning for the future. Some out of necessity as their key players may opt out of the remaining games to prepare for the draft or enter portal. Others will be to truly move on from the current graduating class knowing they can’t help them the following year. There will be no blowback from recruits b/c this will be the new normal. Especially if players become employees. If/when that happens, there will be more players getting cut for underperformance.

It could be a harsh new world for these 18 year olds entering college but there’s also a good chance they’ll be unionized which could protect them from being cut earlier than what a team may want to do. I don’t think the majority of the fanbases quit watching (especially in the South) but there will be some big shakeups coming sooner or later.

You've got to factor in money though. Conference championships generate revenue. So do those smaller bowl games, even if they aren't always stellar. Look how much cash we brought to the city of El Paso in the last bowl and the last time we were there. I think a lot of things will change with the new playoff format, you're absolutely right there, but anything that generates revenue for someone is going to remain I would guess.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

You've got to factor in money though. Conference championships generate revenue. So do those smaller bowl games, even if they aren't always stellar. Look how much cash we brought to the city of El Paso in the last bowl and the last time we were there. I think a lot of things will change with the new playoff format, you're absolutely right there, but anything that generates revenue for someone is going to remain I would guess.

In the old system, yes. Now the goal for conferences will be to get as many teams into the CFP as possible. In a lot of years, both participants in the conference champ games will be among the top 12 (or 14) regardless so how compelling will the game be to the networks? The revenue from CFP > revenue from CCG

 

[NDRock]

Just listened to Andy Staples talk about the playoffs and how being #5 is really a great place to be in. Essentially, ND would get a bye during CC week, then play the #12 team at home (Probably Group of 5). Then they would play the #4 seed who is going to be the worst conference champion (Big 12?). Boom, we’re in the semi finals. I never really thought about how the #4 team might not be very good. Of course, then he said they’re trying to expand to 14 as early as next year.

 

[NorthDakota]

Just listened to Andy Staples talk about the playoffs and how being #5 is really a great place to be in. Essentially, ND would get a bye during CC week, then play the #12 team at home (Probably Group of 5). Then they would play the #4 seed who is going to be the worst conference champion (Big 12?). Boom, we’re in the semi finals. I never really thought about how the #4 team might not be very good. Of course, then he said they’re trying to expand to 14 as early as next year.

I'm really not keen on assuming the #12 is gonna be the G5 team - but I hadn't considered the "Big East BCS team" either.

I really don't get the point of expansion. 12 is already pretty steep. At some point they will be risking nobody watching the regular season.

 

[a mike]

I really don't get the point of expansion.

Word up, look out for the cops though
Cash rules-
Word up, two for fives over here, baby
Word up, two for fives, got garbage down the way
Word up, know what I'm sayin'?
Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M. get-
Yeah, check this out, word up
take you on a natural joint
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money)
(Dollar dollar bill, y'all) here we, here we go

 

[IrishLion]

Just listened to Andy Staples talk about the playoffs and how being #5 is really a great place to be in. Essentially, ND would get a bye during CC week, then play the #12 team at home (Probably Group of 5). Then they would play the #4 seed who is going to be the worst conference champion (Big 12?). Boom, we’re in the semi finals. I never really thought about how the #4 team might not be very good. Of course, then he said they’re trying to expand to 14 as early as next year.

This is gonna sound stupid, but I came to this realization when I made the playoff with ND in the new CFB game.

Got to play #12 Rice (!) as a warmup, then got the worst of the four champs in round 2 (Kansas State). Honestly not a bad draw for getting to the semi-final.

If there's a year where ND is clearly a top-4 team, the benefits of a bye during conference championships, followed by a home game in the first round, followed by a matchup with the "weakest" of the rest of the top-5, outweigh the benefit of a first-round bye, imo.

In a tournament that's gonna require 4 wins to be champ, getting the team active and getting them rolling earlier than the 4 "bye" teams might outweigh the wear-and-tear of playing the extra game.

So much about tournament play is getting hot at the right time, the extra game against a weak 12-seed might help more than hurt.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Just listened to Andy Staples talk about the playoffs and how being #5 is really a great place to be in. Essentially, ND would get a bye during CC week, then play the #12 team at home (Probably Group of 5). Then they would play the #4 seed who is going to be the worst conference champion (Big 12?). Boom, we’re in the semi finals. I never really thought about how the #4 team might not be very good. Of course, then he said they’re trying to expand to 14 as early as next year.

Chess, not checkers. Jack knew what he was doing when he agreed to this while trying to preserve ND's independence a little longer.

We've made the 4 team playoff twice. He knows what this program's ceiling is, and decided #5 isn't a bad "ceiling" for the opening playoff round, with the trade off being no CCG weekend serving as our bye.

 

[Kingbish01]

Ya, I agree...Sitting at home when UGA has to play BAMA and then go play Liberty at home while UGA is off....Only to win and then have to play someone like K State actually seems like a great spot.