The Meritocracy of 24: Why Expanding the College Football Playoff Makes Sense

The debate about the ideal number of teams in the college football playoff has been ongoing for years. One thing is certain: tradition plays little role in this discussion. For decades, college football has operated under a patchwork system that prioritizes geography and legacy over fairness and competition. The College Football Playoff (CFP) was introduced to address these issues, but its limited scope has only exacerbated the problem.

Some argue that expanding the playoff would dilute the significance of traditional rivalries like Michigan-Ohio State or Alabama-Auburn. However, this argument assumes that these games are inherently meaningful only because they determine a team’s chances of making the playoff. What about teams that consistently fall short of postseason contention? Shouldn’t their fans be given hope, no matter how small?

The math supports expansion. With 138 FBS teams competing for 12 spots in the current CFP, only 8.7% of teams make it to the playoff. In contrast, the NCAA Basketball Tournament features 68 teams out of a possible 365, which is 18%. The NHL and NBA also have playoff formats that accommodate significantly more teams than college football. It’s time for the sport to acknowledge its commercialism and adopt a format that rewards participation rather than just performance.

A bigger playoff would not only increase interest in college football but also provide a more representative snapshot of the sport. Currently, the CFP is dominated by Power Five conferences, leaving mid-major teams like Appalachian State or James Madison relegated to watching from the sidelines. By expanding the playoff to include more teams, we can create a more inclusive and meritocratic system that rewards hard work and dedication, regardless of conference affiliation.

Critics argue that expanding the playoff would lead to watered-down competition and diminished interest in the regular season. However, this ignores the fact that fans are already drawn to games featuring top-tier teams. What’s often overlooked is that a bigger playoff can actually increase interest in other games as well. By providing more teams with a legitimate shot at postseason contention, we can create a more dynamic regular season where every game matters.

The NFL has mastered the art of creating compelling storylines and fostering fan engagement through its 32-team playoff format. College football can learn from this model by embracing expansion and creating a more inclusive system that rewards participation rather than just performance. With 24 teams in the CFP, we can create a playoff that’s truly representative of the sport as a whole.

The notion that college football is somehow different from professional sports due to its amateur nature is no longer tenable. Players are now compensated under the guise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) dollars, making it clear that the sport has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s time for the playoff format to catch up with this reality.

A bigger college football playoff may seem daunting at first, but the evidence is clear: more teams equals more interest, more excitement, and more opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite teams. By embracing expansion, we can create a sport that truly rewards meritocracy and participation rather than just tradition and geography. The time has come to take the next step towards making college football a true reflection of its commercialism and popularity.

In reality, it’s not about preserving the status quo or defending sacred traditions; it’s about creating a system that’s fairer, more inclusive, and more representative of the sport as a whole. As the debate continues, one thing is certain: 24 teams in the CFP would be a mathematically sound solution and a step towards creating a more exciting, engaging, and competitive college football landscape.