(07-15-2021 11:23 AM)RUScarlets Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:04 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 10:13 AM)Crayton Wrote:  Let’s say Semifinals are locked into the Saturday of NFL’s Week 18 (Jan 3-9) and QFs are 1 week prior (Dec 27-Jan 2) and the preceding Friday night.

Unlikely, because we're assuming that ESPN is going to pay big bucks for this and will insist on scheduling the games in a way that maximizes the number of people watching.

The audience numbers from the CFP years so far make it clear that the way to maximize the audience is to put playoff games on Jan. 1. There are two realistic ways to do that: (1) 3 quarterfinals on Jan. 1, with the other on Dec. 31 or Jan. 2, or (2) Semifinals on Jan. 1, with the quarterfinals at least 7 days earlier (actually at least 8 days earlier, because they're not going to schedule playoff games on Dec. 25).

If we do get a 12-team playoff, bet on seeing either (1) or (2) in the schedule. If I had to guess between the two, I'd say (1), because playing semis on weeknights in January is a better option, for TV, then playing 8 playoff games (4 first-round games and 4 quarterfinal games) on December weekends.

The only reason the Rose Bowl has drawn better than some SFs is because of the competitiveness of the game. It’s typically tight as opposed to a ND getting blown out in a SF or SEC blowing out their opponent by the first half. NYD is not a ratings phenomenon any more than what it always has been, an evenly matched B1G/PAC or an ultra competitive SF game. The game will still have ratings comparable to an OSU or SEC QF which is exactly why it maximizes TV revenue.

I don't necessarily agree with this. The Rose Bowl has enormous brand recognition. People who know nothing and care nothing about college football, like my wife, are well-aware of the Rose Bowl.

That's why this past year, when the CFP moved the SF game from Pasadena to Dallas because of California's no-fans rule, it quickly became a big deal as to whether the Rose Bowl would allow its name to be used for the game. It seemed like corporate sponsors were keen for the game to be billed as the "Rose Bowl", not just as a CFP Semifinal.

Many people who don't know much if anything about CFP playoffs know the Rose Bowl. Kind of like a mini-Super Bowl, it draws in viewers who otherwise never watch football. That's very valuable to sponsors.