College Football Playoff expansion unlikely

Jul 11, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; CFP director Bill Hancock speaks during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; CFP director Bill Hancock speaks during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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The College Football Playoff is only two years old but could the playoff format be expanding in future years from the current four-team field?

After years of clamoring for a playoff format in college football, the NCAA finally got rid of the BCS system in favor of a four-team format.

Through two years, we’ve had compelling matchups and exciting games, including last year’s five-point game that saw Alabama beat Clemson to win their fourth national title in seven years.

However, much of the conversation about the playoff system isn’t about the champion, but about the team(s) who were left out of the four-team format and the dates and locations of the games.

At SEC Media Days on Wednesday, Bill Hancock was asked if there are any plans or talks about expanding the playoff to include more teams but according to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, there is zero talk about expansion.

I don’t think expansion is necessary. The system works just fine so there is no need to break it and make it better. Expanding to eight teams or more would only dilute the product and extend the season that is something the NCAA won’t want to do considering they think the season is already long enough for student-athletes.

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While the format will remain the same with four teams, for the time being, Hancock says the bigger concern is making sure people can watch the semifinals after last year’s disappointing ratings on New Year’s Eve.

According to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, there is a push to move the games off New Year’s Eve after the 2018 regular season, but for the next few years, fans and media members will have to get used to spending their New Year’s Eve watching and covering college football instead of counting down to the new year.

Do you think the College Football Playoff should expand to eight teams? Are you happy with the current format or do changes need to be made? Let us know in the comments section below.