At the Fairmont San Jose hotel, in the second-floor ballroom, just before the national championship game kicked off last Monday, influential figures in college football’s history gathered behind closed doors to discuss the future of the College Football Playoff involving four teams.
This particular annual meeting of the sport’s power players generated more interest than ever before in the history of the CFP. Speculation about expanding the playoff surfaced, though many agree that Alabama and Clemson, the top two teams, rightfully earned their positions.
However, questions arose about the repeated exclusion of the Big Ten champions over the past three years and the perceived snub of undefeated UCF. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby mentioned a noticeable increase in discussions about potential changes compared to previous years, hinting at a shift in the landscape. Despite the talks, a final decision on any adjustments is yet to be reached.
Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State University and chair of the CFP board of managers, acknowledged that the discussions on expanding the playoff have outpaced the actual details considered by commissioners and presidents. Thompson further emphasized that any potential expansion would hinge on the specific format under consideration.
