Are Conference Title Games Losing Relevance in the CFP Expansion Era?
The expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 12 teams has sparked debate over the value and future of conference championship games. Traditionally seen as a crown jewel of the college football season, these games now face scrutiny as their risks and benefits are reassessed in light of the new playoff format. Are they becoming more of a liability than an advantage?
The history of the CFP highlights the significance of the “13th data point,” the extra game played by conference champions. In 2014, the absence of a championship game hurt Big 12 co-champions TCU and Baylor, who missed out on the playoffs despite strong seasons. This lesson pushed conferences like the Big 12 to revive their championship games. Fast-forward to today, the expanded playoff may render this extra game less vital—or even counterproductive.
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Take this year’s ACC title game as an example. SMU, ranked No. 8 in the CFP standings, risks losing its playoff spot if it falls to No. 17 Clemson. A Clemson victory would secure an automatic bid as one of the top-ranked conference champions, potentially pushing SMU out of the playoff entirely. This raises a question: Why should a team in a secure playoff position face elimination for playing in a title game? SMU Athletic Director Rick Hart suggests that such outcomes might force conferences to reconsider the necessity of these games.
The potential downsides don’t stop there. Teams that lose conference championships often face a grueling playoff path, while others that skip title games enter the postseason rested. Injuries in high-stakes matchups also remain a major concern. Coaches, including Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin, have voiced reservations about the cost-benefit balance, particularly with the playoff field expanded.
However, financial and logistical barriers make eliminating these games a complex issue. Championship games generate millions in TV revenue and ticket sales, making them hard to abandon without alternative revenue streams. Additionally, without these games, determining conference champions could devolve into convoluted tiebreaker scenarios in large, division-less conferences.
Some suggest that scrapping title games could free up the calendar for playoff games earlier in December, avoiding competition with the NFL and easing scheduling pressures. This adjustment might also pave the way for further playoff expansion to 14 or 16 teams, ensuring more inclusivity without overburdening teams.
As the CFP evolves, the role of conference championship games will undoubtedly come under closer scrutiny. Their future hinges on whether their value as a tradition can outweigh the mounting risks and logistical challenges they pose. One thing is clear: how the current playoff season unfolds will set the tone for changes to come.
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