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There was an excellent summary article in this weekend's Wall Street Journal on the expansion to a twelve team playoff. I think many of us here have long argued that a four team playoff was just too restrictive given America's interest in the collegiate game and the number of talented teams there are around the country these days.

Structurally, there was one point that piqued my interest. "Six spots are reserved for the highest ranked of the ten conference champions (that would have made Aresco smile before the exodus of UC, UH, and UCF) meaning that the so called Power 5 conferences--the ACC, B10, B12, Pac 12 and SEC won't be guaranteed spots in the playoff. The remaining six spots are for the highest-ranked teams that did not win their league." I suspect that may have included Ohio State last season in addition to Michigan which helps the B10 in its quest to match the power and prestige of the SEC.

Reading further, "the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded nos. 1-4 and each will receive a first round bye." To me, that foreshadows the extinction of a "P-5" anticipating the collapse of the Pac 12 in its current form upon the departure of even more schools to the B10 and B12. Time will tell in that regard, but one has to believe that the "P-4" will most always get those byes.

Bottom line, this is a big improvement over the 4-team CFP. And for UC, it will still be beneficial being on the right side of the divide between the "P" and "G" conferences as the rankings, TV ratings, and schedule strength will still favor the power conference members for those bids.

Does that mean an independent like Notre Dame is ineligible for the #1-#4 seeds and the first round bye?

(09-05-2022 05:37 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  Does that mean an independent like Notre Dame is ineligible for the #1-#4 seeds and the first round bye?

Yes

2021 1st round byes: (#1 Georgia, #5 Ohio State, and #6 Notre Dame did not win conference)
#2 Alabama
#3 Michigan
#4 Cincinnati
#7 Baylor

2019 1st round byes:
#1 LSU
#2 Ohio State
#3 Clemson
#4 Oklahoma

2018 1st round byes: (#3 is Notre Dame)
#1 Alabama
#2 Clemson
#4 Oklahoma
#5 Ohio State

2017 1st round byes: (#4 Alabama did not win conference)
#1 Clemson
#2 Oklahoma
#3 Georgia
#5 Ohio State

2016 1st round byes: (#3 Ohio State did not win conference)
#1 Alabama
#2 Clemson
#4 Washington
#5 Penn State

2015 1st round byes:
#1 Clemson
#2 Alabama
#3 Michigan State
#4 Oklahoma

2014 1st round byes:
#1 Alabama
#2 Oregon
#3 Florida State
#4 Ohio State

2013 1st round byes: (#3 Alabama did not win conference)
#1 Florida State
#2 Auburn
#4 Michigan State
#5 Stanford

2012 1st round byes:
#2 Alabama
#5 Kansas State or #11 Oklahoma (Big 12 did not have championship game that year)
#6 Stanford
#12 Florida State

2012 would have been a mess:
Notre Dame was #1
SEC was won by #2 Alabama
PAC was won by #6 Stanford (#2 Oregon did not make it to PAC championship game)
Big 12 did not have championship game. Would have been won by #5 KSU or #11 Oklahoma.
ACC was won by #12 Florida State
MAC was won by #15 NIU
Big East did not have a championship game; 4-way tie for 1st. Championship game would have been between #21 Louisville and unranked Cincinnati.
Big Ten was won by 8-5 Wisconsin (unranked).

(09-05-2022 09:25 PM)bcat1997 Wrote:  

(09-05-2022 05:37 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  Does that mean an independent like Notre Dame is ineligible for the #1-#4 seeds and the first round bye?

Yes

Surprised ND would agree to that proposal.

Hopefully with all the conferences agreeing to this format, this means all of the scuttlebutt about there eventually being two super conferences won't happen, or at least anytime soon.

(09-06-2022 11:54 AM)Cat-Man Wrote:  

(09-05-2022 09:25 PM)bcat1997 Wrote:  

(09-05-2022 05:37 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  Does that mean an independent like Notre Dame is ineligible for the #1-#4 seeds and the first round bye?

Yes

Surprised ND would agree to that proposal.

Hopefully with all the conferences agreeing to this format, this means all of the scuttlebutt about there eventually being two super conferences won't happen, or at least anytime soon.

I think with them not playing a conference championship game, they understand it’s one less game they would have to win anyway.

I love the 12 team idea. But, keep in mind that this agreement is among the chancellors and univ president types. They agreed to send it to the athletics folks to make it happen by 2026 or preferably earlier.

There have already been several big time ADs and coaches that have said they don't think all the details can be worked out in time to do it in 2024 and that some other details need to be reviewed or revised.

Will be interesting to see what the final format/agreement looks like.