Change Is Coming To The College Football Playoff: Here's What You Need To Know

It didn't take long for excitement over the College Football Playoff to give way to frustration and disappointment. The problem with the format of a four-team playoff quickly became apparent as the same powerhouse programs were competing for a national championship year after year.
Beginning in 2014, the College Football Playoff has taken place seven times - with Alabama and Clemson making six appearances, Ohio State and Oklahoma with four, Notre Dame with two and a handful of other power five programs who have made just one appearance. Overall, only 11 of the 129 Division I FBS programs have participated in the College Football Playoff. By and large, the majority of Division I football programs will never have a legitimate shot at competing for college football's top prize.
As a result, many within the college football world have been asking for an expansion to the college football playoff in an effort to create more parity and interest - something that has worked quite well for college basketball.
It now looks like expansion is about to happen.
Pending approval - which it will be approved - @CFBPlayoff headed to 12 teams. Earliest start would be after 2023 regular season, sources told @Stadium. Because of impact of expanded playoff, expect anywhere from 4-10 bowls to be eliminated by 2023, sources said
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) June 10, 2021
According to Brett McMurphy of the Stadium Network, the college football playoff is expected to expand to 12 teams and would be officially implemented by 2023.
The potential expansion to a 12-team playoff would change college football dramatically, particularly late in the season. According to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, a 12-team playoff would create an energy in October and November that doesn't currently exist for many within the college football world.
Big 12 commish Bob Bowlsby on difference b/w 12-team & 4-team playoff. “It creates energy in October & November. It’s opposite of current playoff to regular season. Practical effect of (12 teams) - there will be 25 or 30 teams w/opportunity to (make playoffs in final weeks)"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) June 10, 2021
Bowlsby also acknowledged that decisionmakers may underestimated the difficulties a limited four-team playoff would create.
Bob Bowlsby with just an amazing comment: "I think we all underestimated how difficult it was going to be to be on the outside looking in of a four-team playoff."
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 10, 2021
.@CFBPlayoff working group repeatedly said how relevant bowls are, how much it respects & value bowls, yet expanded playoff will eliminate several bowls in next few years
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) June 10, 2021
There will be more to come as an official vote to expand is expected in the coming months. Regardless of when the decision is made official, it appears that an expansion to the College Football Playoff is now imminent.
