Ever since the College Football Playoff began in 2014, people have been calling for more teams to be allowed in. This has become a controversial point of discussion for many. For me, I’ve always been fine with four teams. Given the history of the playoff, I don’t really need to see Alabama smoke the No. 8 team in the nation or Clemson destroy the No. 7 team. Even the 1/4 matchups have gotten ugly in years past. But looking across the landscape of sports in a COVID-19 world, eight teams make sense, even if it is just for this season.

The argument against expansion

Since its first season in 2014-15, the CFP has seen its fair share of blowouts. Although the four-team system was set up to give more teams a chance, that really hasn’t played out. Every single national championship since has been won by what I would consider a powerhouse school. Ohio State, Alabama (2), Clemson (2), and LSU. LSU hasn’t been quite as successful as the previous three in terms of consistency, but that team led by Joe Burrow was destined to win a championship.

The history of non-powerhouses has been a tough one. Even teams that seem to be successful year in and year out like Notre Dame and Oklahoma haven’t had much success in the playoff system. Oklahoma has lost by double digits in every CFP game they have played outside of the double-overtime loss to Georgia in 2018. Notre Dame lost its lone shot 30-3 against Clemson in 2019. Every single team that has been an “outlier” (i.e. made their lone appearance in the playoff) has lost- badly. In 2016, Michigan State lost to Alabama by a score of 38-0. The following season, Washington fell 24-7 at the hands of the Crimson Tide. The ultimate point here is that unless a new team is having an all-time season, like LSU, they are going to get destroyed in the first round.

The argument for expansion

Many leagues across sports have expanded their playoffs. The NBA and NHL did it by allowing more teams into their bubbles. The NFL has a contingency plan that would allow an extra wild card team from each league if any important games are missed. Why not expand the CFP to eight? For one, some teams have become very tough to judge. Ohio State is certainly one of the top four teams in the country based on talent. But they’ve only played four games and could potentially be ineligible for the Big 10 Championship game due to that lack of play. Missing this game could put them at the outside looking in on teams that are worse talent-wise but played more games. It’s not the Buckeyes fault the Big 10 set up an awful return to play plan.

Then there are the non-Power Five teams. BYU and Cincy headline the list there, but teams like Coastal Carolina and Liberty come to mind as well. Although the first two teams listed are the most likely to make it to a Top-8 scenario, anything can happen. So, why not give them a shot? Worst case scenario, it’s a blowout loss. Life goes on. Best case, we get to see one of the biggest upsets in college football history. Plus, it’s more college football. Who doesn’t want that?

Concluding thoughts

Right now, the CFP would be composed of Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Ohio State. The three teams that have won nearly every championship since it’s existence and then Notre Dame. Rounding out the top eight are Texas A&M, Florida, Cincy, and Georgia. Half the field being SEC teams would not be ideal, but those teams will sort each other out down the stretch, leaving room for the Big 10 and 12 winners and hopefully BYU, plus maybe some other surprises.

My point is, this is a win-win for everyone on both sides of the argument. People that say four is enough because of blowout games have a chance for their point to be proven once and for all. Everyone remembers UCF in 2017 claiming a national title. Now, we can finally see if those types of teams can actually hold water to the big boys. For those that are pro-expansion, this gives a look at what it could be like. All I know is that back in May when sports were canceled, people would do anything for college football. Now, there is a chance to create something special, even if just for one season.