Counterargument

     Some people claim that the playoff should not be expanded due to the lengthy schedule it would create.  However, this claim is not entirely valid.  With a 6-team format (which many people support), the top two teams would have the same number of games as they would in the current format.  Although the others teams (ranked 3-6) would have one extra game, having a bye week would be a huge incentive for teams trying to get the top two spots.  Barry Alvarez, University of Wisconsin athletic director and former College Football Playoff Selection Committee member, supports the 6-team format (cbssports.com 1).  He said, “I would now be open to six.  Two byes [for the top two teams]. …  Maybe give one spot to the … [Group of Five champion]," (cbssports.com 3).  Therefore, the creation of a lengthy schedule is not a major problem with expanding the CFP.

    Another argument against expanding the playoff is the reduction of intensity during the regular season.  However, this is not the case.  Expanding the playoff would actually make the regular season more exciting and intense.  The top teams would still be competing for the number one seed.  In addition, teams that would normally not have a chance would be fighting to grab a spot in the playoff.  For example, in the last regular season game of 2019, #12 Wisconsin played #8 Minnesota (ESPN.com).  With the four-team format, neither one of these teams had a chance to make the playoff, meaning this game was not terribly important.  However, if the playoff was expanded to six or eight teams, this game would be extremely significant.  The loser of this game would likely be eliminated from playoff contention while the winner would have an excellent chance to qualify.  Because of so many games like this that have occurred, expanding the College Football Playoff would not reduce the intensity of the regular season but actually increase it.

    Some also claim that academics would be harmed by expanding the playoff.  However, this is simply untrue.  As shown in the figure below, schools in every FBS conference profit off of the season (cuindependent.com).  By expanding the playoff and adding another week to the season, the schools would earn more money, which can be invested into academics.  The student-athletes would also lose minimal study time in the extra week of the season.  If schools’ finances are so important for their level of education, what reason is there to refrain from expanding one of their top sources of revenue?