The Varsity College Football's Billion-Dollar Gold Mine
Jan 22, 2025
Nicole Auerbach, NBC Sports’ lead college football insider, dives into the thrilling changes in the college football playoff system. She highlights the successes of fan engagement with the expanded 12-team format and discusses the challenges of seeding. Auerbach considers the potential for a 14-team field and the implications of strategic losses in conference championships. She also addresses the shifting power dynamics in college sports governance, especially with NIL deals and the influence of major conferences like the Big Ten and SEC.
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Expanded Playoff Success
- The expanded College Football Playoff was a success, increasing fan engagement and giving more teams a chance.
- Teams with seemingly debilitating losses, like Notre Dame and Ohio State, still had postseason opportunities.
Extended Season Impact
- Nicole Auerbach covered all four rounds of the playoffs, experiencing the extended season's wear and tear.
- The championship game after the NFL divisional round had a more detrimental impact than anticipated.
Future Playoff Changes
- Unanimity among conferences for playoff changes is challenging, especially regarding first-round byes and payouts.
- The Big Ten and SEC's influence could lead to significant changes for 2026 and beyond.