The College Football Playoff

By Ryan “The Goose” Gosiker

The evolution of college football and the complexity of the sport has reached new heights. The transfer portal, NIL, and number of eligible years to play are just a few of the difficult concepts to understand here in the present day. Another huge one is the playoff system. As a kid, I was raised on the BCS system when teams would play out their games and a computer would consider all major factors, then it would spit out a number. Teams were ranked by their number and the top 2 at the end of the season would meet in the national championship game. Then, that became too elementary because numbers could not consider the “eye test” and what teams actually look like throughout the year. So, they expanded to a 4-team playoff. Next season, after 10 years, college football is moving to a 12-team playoff in which 1st round games will be played at the higher seed. 4 teams will receive a bye. This past week, controversy struck again as the committee took undefeated BIG 10 champion Michigan as the #1 seed, the undefeated PAC 12 champion Washington, 1-loss BIG 12 champion Texas, and 1-loss SEC champion Alabama. The lone missing candidate is undefeated ACC champion Florida State who is without their starting QB Jordan Travis who broke his leg. This was the first time in the 10 years of this format that the committee left out an undefeated, Power 5 champion. The alternative was to leave out Alabama and we all know that would have been catastrophic. That fan base would explode and probably find the local NCAA office to protest. However, by pleasing the SEC, they aggravated the ACC and left out a team with a defense that could compete with anyone. I understand Alabama would beat Florida State right now, but what about the coaching staff? Mike Norvell is the head coach. What is he supposed to say to his team and fans? The only guarantee in sports is that if you win every game, you will have a chance to compete or win a championship. Unfortunately, that guarantee seems to have vanished. Norvell’s team did everything he could have asked for including beating LSU and Florida, both SEC schools. Their offense was inept against Louisville, but they played with their 3rd string QB. For the playoff, their backup would have returned, and as mentioned before, their defense can compete with anyone. The committee always finds a way to disappoint and next year, this particular argument will not happen with 12 teams, but it will be the 12-13-14th ranked teams that they will find a way to mess up. The games should be great, and I will watch, but man, I feel for Florida State. Check out my sports show: “Game Time with The Goose” every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 and on WGHT Radio with co-host Zach Kruk, Sports Director of WTBQ and WGHT!