A proposed College Football Playoff format by Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has raised concerns among experts and fans alike. The new plan would expand the playoff to 16 teams, with four automatic berths each for the Big Ten and SEC, two berths each for the ACC and Big 12, one auto-bid for a Group of 5 team, and three at-large selections. The format also includes asymmetrical seeding, where teams seeded 13-16 would compete in “play-in” games.
Stewart Mandel, a top college football writer, described the plan as “nonsensical” and stated that it would make regular season games feel worthless. Mandel argues that the plan prioritizes generating revenue over maintaining the spirit of college football. The proposed format could lead to conferences redefining their championship weekend, with automatic berths determining the playoff teams.
Critics, including ACC commissioner Jim Phillips, warn that this predetermined bracket would damage credibility and popularity, while also attracting scrutiny from politicians and antitrust lawyers. The plan is seen as a money-driven move by Petitti, who has experience in television production, to exploit revenue opportunities. This could compromise the integrity of college football’s postseason, leaving fans feeling disheartened.
The plan’s potential impact on the sport’s tradition and competitiveness cannot be ignored. Mandel concludes that nobody wants this format, and its implementation would have far-reaching consequences for the College Football Playoff and college football as a whole.
Source: https://awfulannouncing.com/college-football/stewart-mandel-unloads-cockamamie-cfp-proposal-big-ten-tony-petitti.html