On 12/22/2025 at 4:36 PM, DukeDog said:

Yeah sure, let's eliminate the G5's spot and fully divide FBS. While we're at it, why does March Madness include teams from the MAAC or NEC? Get those guys out too. No point in watching those schools get blown out, right?

I can understand adding a minimum-ranking requirement for G5 schools (as in, they need to be in the top-20 or top-16 to be eligible), but shielding them out of the CFP ruins college football. You have to give the "other half" of CFB at least a chance. It might be once in a blue moon, but you're going to get teams like 2005 Utah, 2007/2009 Boise State, 2010 TCU, 2016 Western Michigan, 2021 UC, 2022 Tulane etc. who go toe to toe with the P5 schools. If the concern is avoiding blowout games, then let's talk about bringing it back down to four teams. That format definitely never had any blowouts...

This year was an anomaly because the ACC had dumb tiebreaker rules. I think we all know those will be fixed going into next year. I don't think the proper response should be to shatter CFB. I now have the lifelong memory of my alma mater reaching the pinnacle of college football. Never thought this was possible when I graduated while they were still FCS. Boo hoo if you had/have to watch a lopsided game. Guess what? You're going to see those if we end up with a Big 10/SEC invitational featuring one or two ACC/Big 12 schools and Notre Dame. 

At least we covered the spread. Go Dukes!

 

On 12/21/2025 at 12:56 AM, bugatti said:

For everyone saying that the 12 best teams should be in the playoffs, I agree! But, the reason we have teams like James Madison and Tulane in it is because for years everyone was clamoring for the little guy to get a chance. We had teams like Boise State, Hawaii, etc. that would have great seasons, and all we heard was how unfair it was they weren’t allowed to compete with the big boys. And sure, there were some instances when these teams would win a meaningless bowl game against a power foe, but those are one-off scenarios. In the playoffs, these teams are playing to win the chip. The reality is these teams have never had a shot.

Honestly I would have loved to have seen a could have those Boise State teams from 15 years or ago or so, Utah, UCF, etc get a chance in a playoff system. As I do think those teams could have competed. 
 

With that said, as mentioned in the post above. I do think there should be more requirements for a team outside of the P5 to get an automatic bid. As they should have to win their conference, but also have a ranking high enough that puts them in. A few of those Boise, Utah, UCF teams would have had a high enough ranking and would have deserved it. This year these teams definitely didn’t deserve it. 

On 12/24/2025 at 6:25 AM, futurecoach said:

 

Honestly I would have loved to have seen a could have those Boise State teams from 15 years or ago or so, Utah, UCF, etc get a chance in a playoff system. As I do think those teams could have competed.

Again, revving up and preparing for four weeks for a one game, David vs Goliath matchup (when Goliath has nothing to win) is one thing. But for those teams, and the mid-majors up for debate this year, it comes down to attrition and the ability to replicate the physicality and athletic prowess in consecutive weeks. These teams do (did) not have the horses for that. It’s how we know if Tulane was in the SEC, they ain’t going to a major bowl of the CFP.

Many want to make the March Madness analogy, but it’s apples and anchovies.

5 hours ago, bugatti said:

Again, revving up and preparing for four weeks for a one game, David vs Goliath matchup (when Goliath has nothing to win) is one thing. But for those teams, and the mid-majors up for debate this year, it comes down to attrition and the ability to replicate the physicality and athletic prowess in consecutive weeks. These teams do (did) not have the horses for that. It’s how we know if Tulane was in the SEC, they ain’t going to a major bowl of the CFP.

Many want to make the March Madness analogy, but it’s apples and anchovies.

No doubt most years you would be right too. Once again though I do think a couple of those Boise State teams, UCF, Utah, could have possibly won a game or two in a playoff structure similar to this. 
 

With that said those teams mentioned also would have been ranked very high entering the playoffs and would have deserved their shot. Just like UC a few years ago when they were in the AAC. So I do think there needs to be a certain cutoff to where a team would have to be ranked in order to be in. This way we avoid teams like this year making it, who weren’t one of those special teams mentioned who deserved a shot and could compete and win a game or two.