I’ve said it before and will say it again. The people pushing for an expanded playoff don’t actually like College Football.
They like other sports, and want to make CFB like those.
It’s in every single comment section: “But the NBA does it!” “But you can lose several games in the NFL and you’re not eliminated!” “But March Madness has Cinderellas!”
That’s fine. Go watch those then. College Football doesn’t have to become like everything else.
It’s okay for things to be unique & separate and not function the same.
The concept of a “play-in” game for the CFP is completely pointless.
WE ALREADY HAVE THEM. ALL YEAR.
2025 ND vs. Miami: play-in game
2025 Texas A&M vs. ND: play-in game
2025 Texas vs. Georgia: play-in game
2025 Michigan vs. OU: play-in game
2025 Vandy vs. Alabama: play-in game
2025 Texas vs. Ohio State: play-in game
2024 BYU vs. ASU: play-in game
2024 Alabama vs. Tennessee: play-in game
Not to mention games that ended up being de facto play-ins for one of the teams:
2025 Texas (cost them CFP) vs. Florida
2025 OU (stayed alive) vs. Alabama
2025 Pitt vs. GT (eliminated from ACCCG)
2025 SMU (eliminated from ACCCG) vs. Cal
2025 SC vs. Texas A&M (stayed alive)
2024 Alabama (eliminated) vs. OU
2024 Ole Miss (eliminated) vs. Florida
2024 Miami (eliminated) vs. Syracuse
2024 Clemson (got to ACC CG) vs. Pitt
2024 Clemson (got in) vs. SMU
2024 SMU (stayed alive) vs. Duke
2024 Indiana (stayed alive) vs. Michigan
College Football’s REGULAR SEASON is a CONSTANT PLAYOFF.
Anyone who wants to erode that and expand the Playoff simply hates the sport and wants to make it look like everything else.