What Is The Perfect College Football Playoff?
We look at a variety of playoff scenarios.
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Four teams, five, 10, 12, or more?
With the College Football Playoff just around the corner, we decided to take a look at a variety of playoff scenarios that could be better than the current four-team set up. There is already some talk about the playoff expanding to eight teams but until then let’s have some fun with the scenarios.
Four Team Playoff
Status quo. This year it was fairly clear cut with three undefeated teams and Oklahoma winning the Big 12 with one loss. Had Utah won the Pac-12 title game there would have been some controversy.
No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson
Five Team Playoff
All five power five champions are involved and that is it. This still is set up like an invitational and not an actual playoff as it leaves no room for a Group of Five team. An alternate way would be the highest-rated conference champions and if that were the case then there could be some wiggle from for a Group of Five team to earn a bid.
No. 5 Oregon plays at No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 1 LSU vs. Oregon/Oklahoma winner
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson
Six Team Playoff
This one can have a few options. Take the highest-rated six conference champions. However, this would model also would leave out independents like Notre Dame but would include at least one Group of Five team.
No. 6 Memphis at No. 3 Clemson
No. 5 Oregon at No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 1 LSU vs. lowest-seeded remaining team
No. 2 Ohio State vs. highest-seeded remaining team
Another option is to have the College Football Playoff committee take the six highest-ranked teams as chosen by said committee. The only change in this one is that it would remove Memphis and put in Georgia.
No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 3 Clemson
No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 1 LSU vs. lowest-seeded remaining team
No. 2 Ohio State vs. highest-seeded remaining team
Eight Team Playoff
This setup would have all five conference champions from the Power Five leagues, highest-rated Group of Five champion, and a pair of at-large berths. This would allow for independents and at-large teams as well.
Also, this set up could provide home games for the top four seeds and provide an extra incentive to be a top four seed. To pick the at-large teams it would be the next highest-ranked teams as chosen by the playoff committee.
No. 8 Memphis at No. 1 LSU
No. 7 Baylor at No. 2 Ohio State
No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Clemson
No. 5 Georgia at No. 4 Oklahoma
10 Team Playoff
This one has a few options and this one can lead to some creativity and home games as well.
Take all five Power Five conference champions, top two Group of Five champions and three at-large.
First round:
No. 10 Boise State at No. 7 Baylor
No. 9 Memphis at No. 8 Wisconsin
Second Round:
No. 9/8 Winner at No. 1 LSU
No. 5 Georgia at No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 10/7 winner at No. 2 Ohio State
No. 6 Oklahoma at No. 3 Clemson
Take all 10 conference champions and make winning a league title a priority. The overall depth may not be the best overall but it prioritizes winning a league title. Just like prior formats, this would not allow independents in this field, but they should just join a league.
This would be a proper playoff as it is not an invitational with computers or a group of people picking the best team. This path requires every team to qualify by winning its league. This one will never happen but it would at least be earned.
First round:
No. 10 Miami (OH) at No. 7 Boise State
No. 9 Florida Atlantic at No. 8 Appalachian State
Second Round:
No. 9/8 Winner at No. 1 LSU
No. 5 Oregon at No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 10/7 winner at No. 2 Ohio State
No. 6 Memphis at No. 3 Clemson
12 Team Playoff
Every Power Five champion, any Group of Five champion that is ranked at the end of the year in the top 25, and then fill out the rest with at-large bids.
This year there would have three Group of Five teams in Boise State, Memphis and Appalachian State and then four at-large teams. The at-large would vary each year but include teams from outside the power structure a shot if ranked and winning their league.
There would be home games for the first two rounds and being a top-four team earns a bye.
First round:
No. 9 Florida at No. 8 Wisconsin
No. 12 Appalachian State at No. 5 Georgia
No. 10 Memphis at No. 7 Baylor
No. 11 Boise State at No. 6 Oregon
Second round:
No. 9/8 Winner at No. 1 LSU
No. 12/5 Winner vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 11/6 Winner vs. No. 3 Clemson
No. 10/7 Winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
Another 12-team option is all league champions with two at-large teams. This would allow for a few other teams that are really good to have a shot at a national title plus an option for independents.
First round:
No. 9 Boise State at No. 8 Memphis
No. 12 Miami (OH) at No. 5 Georgia
No. 10 Appalachian State at No. 7 Baylor
No. 11 Florida Atlantic at No. 6 Oregon
Second Round:
No. 9/8 Winner at No. 1 LSU
No. 12/5 Winner vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 11/6 Winner vs. No. 3 Clemson
No. 10/7 Winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
16 Team Playoff
This one is my personal favorite. Go with all 10 conference champions and six at-large bids. With 16 teams it would give every conference champion to earn a spot in the field plus six other teams who most likely would be ranked probably at worst No. 12.
No. 16 Miami (OH) at No. 1 LSU
No. 9 Florida at No. 8 Wisconsin
No. 12 Memphis at No. 5 Georgia
No. 13 Boise State at No. 4 Oklahoma
No. 11 Utah at No. 6 Oregon
No. 14 Appalachian State at No. 3 Clemson
No. 10 Penn State at No. 7 Baylor
No. 15 Florida Atlantic at No. 2 Ohio State
