Penn State head coach James Franklin emphasized the importance of consistency in college football during a recent discussion about the upcoming matchup against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal. The Nittany Lions will face off against the Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday night, with Penn State seeking to represent the Big Ten Conference.
Franklin believes that greater uniformity across college football would improve the playoff system and selection process. He suggests that every team should be part of a conference, play the same number of league games, and participate in conference championship games. Franklin cites examples from other conferences, such as the SEC, which has maintained an eight-game league schedule.
The Penn State coach also expressed concerns about the current playoff format, highlighting the difficulty for committee members to compare teams with varying paths and profiles. He advocates for a more consistent approach to evaluating strength of schedule and other factors.
Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, previously agreed that if the Irish were selected for the playoffs, they would not be eligible for a bye into the quarterfinals. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman acknowledged the team’s independent status but expressed openness to exploring changes.
Franklin’s comments underscore his desire for greater consistency in college football, particularly when it comes to scheduling and playoff selection processes.
Source: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/43334801/james-franklin-stresses-cfp-uniformity-everybody-conference