Dude, you hear about the College Football Playoff? Just two years after they went to 12 teams, it’s expanding AGAIN, this time to a wild 24-team field. Apparently, ESPN and the CFP hammered out a “handshake deal” Friday afternoon after weeks of rumors. The immediate word on the street, nationally at least, is mostly negative, with a lot of critics saying this move totally devalues the regular season. Why? Because now basically all 24 ranked teams are gonna make the postseason.
Finebaum Says Embrace the Chaos, Folks!
Over on SEC Nation, ahead of that huge Alabama-Tennessee game in Week 7, Paul Finebaum and Tim Tebow were deep in it discussing this new 24-team setup, and man, they were on opposite sides. Finebaum, he started off by saying he’s not choosing violence, he’s choosing to embrace the change. He gets why fans are frustrated, and yeah, a lot of folks weren’t into this at the start. But Finebaum thinks it’s a good idea!
He threw out an example that really makes you think: right now, if Tennessee loses to Alabama, they’re probably out. But next year, with this 24-team field, if they lose that game and it’s their second loss, they’re still in. He sees more schools “hanging around longer and longer” and predicts it’s gonna be chaotic. Finebaum even mentioned we might see more “Lane Kiffin situations” because “just getting in the playoff won’t be enough to keep you at a school.” But his big take is that fans are gonna come around in about a year, especially since those early season games are gonna be premier matchups instead of the “garbage games” schools make us attend and buy tickets for. He calls that a plus.
Tebow Thinks They’re Messing with What Makes College Football Special
Tebow, though? He was having none of it. He completely disagreed with Finebaum, pointing out that what makes college football so unique, what separates it from the NFL, NBA, MLB, or even college basketball and baseball, is how critical the regular season is. For Tebow, this expansion is just moving the goal posts.
He admitted there will be more excitement and access, which is cool, but for him, it changes “what this game of college football is about.” He thinks they’re diluting something that was “so special” and one of the “biggest differentiators” in sports. His big fear is that it’s becoming “more like” the NFL, where you “just have to get in and get hot.”
So, what’s gonna happen now? Is Finebaum right, and everyone gets on board next year? Or is Tebow on the money about losing what makes college football so special? We’ll be watching how this wild new era unfolds, that’s for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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