It took one week to turn everyone against the 24-team College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff is anticipated to broaden from 12 groups to 24 groups next season, per ESPN’s Pete ThamelSuch modifications would significantly improve the discussions around the postseason field– and possibly deflate the routine season item, if today’s matches are any indicator.

Sources: The College Football Playoff is nearing an offer to broaden to 24 groups, per sources. The brand-new format will begin in 2027 and is anticipated to come together in the future, pending last approvals. pic.twitter.com/tRdVAiqKax— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 15, 2026

We understand the SEC is highly in favor of broadening to a 24-team field. The Big Ten and other Power Five conferences would most likely invite a chance to slip more groups into the last fray. That stated, when No. 1 Georgia, No. 5 Indiana, No. 6 Alabama and No. 7 Texas all lose on a single Saturday, it’s tough not to focus on the disadvantage of such a setup. A 24-team College Football Playoff gets rid of routine season stakes for powerhouse programs

Saturday was unkind to a number of ranked groups throughout the nation, specifically in the SEC; Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Missouri and LSU, all ranked leading 25 in the AP survey, were beat. In other significant news, No. 5 Indiana lost to No. 4 Ohio State in heartbreaking style, ending the Hoosiers’ impressive 22-game win streak under Curt Cignetti. All of this all considerably ripe with a 12-team playoff format. Georgia is safe in the meantime, however Texas has actually lost 2 straight to unranked challengers, putting their postseason hopes in serious jeopardy. The Missouri Tigers, right on the postseason bubble as it were, missed out on a golden chance to dismiss Heisman prospect Trinidad Chambliss and No. 9 Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide likewise lost for a 2nd straight week; Tennessee will now certainly leapfrog the Tide in the AP rankings, while Kalen DeBoer’s credibility in Tuscaloosa has actually transitioned from “we’re starting to like this guy” to “every emergency alarm in the county is on full blast” in a matter of days. There’s a genuine possibility Texas and Alabama miss out on the postseason. There is much football to be played, and the CFP committee currently prefers the SEC and its “strength of schedule” more than it most likely should. The Longhorns are in complimentary fall and the Tide are more susceptible than formerly thought of, in spite of such an appealing start to the project. Take, then, Indiana. The Hoosiers were naturally ranked high to start the year after their champion run, however 2026 Indiana does not have the skill (nor the quarterback) of 2025 Indiana. After a near-miss versus No. 25 Northwestern in Week 4, the Hoosiers failed their very first genuine test of the season on Saturday with a 19-15 loss to Ohio State. Even better, Indiana had a possibility to win the video game in the last minutes, however star wideout Nick Marsh got out of bounds on a wide-open catch in the end zone.

Josh Hoover discovers Nick Marsh-BUT HE runs out BOUNDS pic.twitter.com/WCcs1mUefF– FOX College Football(@CFBONFOX) October 17, 2026

Indiana now has a comically bad résumé for a so-called competitor, with just one ranked challenger (No. 19 USC)left on their routine season schedule. The Hoosiers generally require to bat 1.000 the remainder of the method to ensure an area in the 12-team playoff. In a 24-team playoff, the Hoosiers might almost compose this off as a missed out on chance to travel to the goal, with a possibility to avenge their loss to Ohio State as, like, the No. 15 seed, even if the USC match likewise avoids them. College football fans are crashing out(naturally) over 24-team playoff

One can’t assist however value the drama of this week in college football. Gunnar Stockton fumbled in the last seconds and handed UGA its even worse loss in years. The Hoosiers were a toe tap far from a prospective

No. 1 ranking, and now should defend their postseason lives the remainder of the method. Alabama is not a program utilized to back-to-back losses, much less worrying over a playoff area(although that sensation of stress and anxiety has actually ended up being a bit too typical in the DeBoer period). This Texas crisis might be the nail in Steve Sarkisian’s casket and a stain on Arch Manning’s tradition.

Now, picture today taking place in a world with a 24-team playoff format. Texas fans would be down in the dumps, no doubt, however the Longhorns would still be easily in the playoffs with adequate chance to restore a stubborn project. Exact same for the Tide. Indiana would not be the least bit worried today. A four-point loss to an excellent Ohio State group is a lot easier to stand when strength of record does not actually matter– not for a Big Ten powerhouse with their authentic. All the air gets away the proverbial football; none of these upsets imply anything if 24 groups are ensured an area in the huge dance. Eventually, that format is developed with the SEC and Big Ten in mind, enabling uber-talented and uber-expensive lineups space to stumble and fall versus tough conference schedules. It will not reward upstart mid-majors or lower Power Five schools exceeding expectations. It will reward the underperforming blue bloods, enabling them to cross out back-breaking losses as a simple action on the journey. College football is making this modification for financial factors, not item factors. The fans will lose on high-stakes football so the fits can pack their pockets. That is a pity, and today is a best example of why it’s such an embarassment.

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