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3 things we learned from College Football Playoff semifinals

By Chris Peterson

Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after gang tackled Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl Classic, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after gang tackled Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl Classic, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. /

2. Boring playoff is another argument against expansion

Less than a year ago, it seemed like the College Football Playoff was due to expand to 12 teams and many were for it.

Then, Texas and Oklahoma decided to move from the Big 12 to the SEC, which has the potential to change everything. And with another dominant showing by the SEC, it begs the question, is expansion really necessary?

You can see why the SEC is happy with the four-team format. But you can also see why it wouldn’t mind going to 12 teams too. This year, there would have been at least three SEC teams to make the playoff and it was a down year.

Expanding the playoff won’t end the SEC dominance. In fact, it might get worse. We might have an all-SEC semifinal some year, especially after the Horns and Sooners join the mix.

The thing is, expansion to four has been great for the SEC. And for the third time in the last decade, the league will get to enjoy an all-SEC national championship.

Expansion won’t stop that from happening and while 12 teams would generate excitement and allow the most worthy teams to challenge the SEC, after the way Georiga and Alabama dominated the competition, the appetite for 12 may have decreased even more.

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