Though it doesn’t match the personal desires for world peace and a cure for cancer, it would be nice if the College Football Playoff could remain at four teams in the decades to come.
The more is not always the merrier, and for those clamoring for an eight-team playoff, just plop yourself in front of the television Saturday shortly after lunch and inhale the championship games of the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern conferences. It’s not a perfect quarterfinals bracket, but it’s not far from it.
“This is definitely the closest in the four years of the playoff that it’s looked like legitimate quarterfinals,” ESPN’s Heather Dinich, who covers the playoff, said this week. “That’s certainly the case in the ACC and the SEC. If Wisconsin wins the Big Ten, they’re in, and if Oklahoma wins the Big 12, they’re in. As far as talk of expanding the playoff, I think this is the perfect year to argue otherwise.
“I don’t think there are even four great teams who are raising their hands saying, ‘Pick me,’ and I certainly don’t think there are eight great teams that should be a part of the playoff system this year. Expanding the playoff in a year like this one would be disappointing.”
In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa rushes in against Maryland during an NCAA college football game Saturday, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State has four excellent defensive ends but Bosa, the brother of former first-round draft pick Joey, is the best. He leads the team with six sacks and 12 1/2 tackles for loss. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)Saturday’s winners in the ACC title game between Clemson and Miami and in the SEC title game between Auburn and Georgia are certain to be in the four-team field. The same might be said in the Big Ten with Ohio State and Wisconsin, though a win by the Buckeyes would lead to the great debate between them and Alabama.