At this point in the 8 team playoff discussion it would be more interesting to discuss actual quotes on it from commissioners, TV executives, coaches ect. then to speculate on the slight tweaks to the format.

CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock's comments on the PAC commissioner proposal to move to 8.

Quote:"They decided that doing that now would be such a significant change, and come with so many challenges, especially given the timing with the season already underway, that they concluded that the best outcome would be to make no changes in the format," Hancock told ESPN. "They will continue to discuss the future, which is just good, responsible business practice, although I must say that dealing with COVID has become everyone's focus now."

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...ms-shelved

Quote:"Whether it's six or eight, at some point in time it's going to happen," Stanford coach David Shaw told reporters Wednesday. "We all know it; we all believe it. We're just going to do it very, very slowly and methodically, but it's the only thing that makes sense.

"The only thing that should matter is: Did you fight really, really hard your entire season to win your conference? If you did, you should get a ticket to the dance. Now, outside of those five, now who deserves it? You have to look at independents, you have to look at No. 2s in some of those conferences, look at the roads they traveled. That's the only thing that truly makes sense, and I believe eventually we will get there, whether it's six or eight teams, I think it'll eventually happen."

Stanford coach says there has some room for No. 2's and independents in the new system. Sounds like he believes it champs should be invited based on schedule (CFP ranking?)

These ideas lend themselves to a Top 6 or Top 5 ranked conference champs in as oppose to autobids. This year that would mean Cincinnati as #5 and Coastal in at #6. The commentary here is close to the ken_d proposal.

Since its not guaranteed autobids to the playoff it does serve the function of keeping things competitive. The PAC will have to step it up if they want their champion as part of the title picture in the future.