As discussions about a potential expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 24 teams gain momentum, Central Michigan head coach Matt Drinkall has voiced his concerns. When asked for his opinion on the proposal, his immediate response was revealing.
“How long would you like me to answer?” he quipped, hinting at the depth of his thoughts on this significant shift in college football.
Financial Motivations Behind Expansion
Drinkall's critique centers on the notion that the push for a larger playoff bracket is predominantly motivated by financial gains. He noted, “I think it’s going to generate a ton of revenue for the powers that be,” anticipating that such a change could permanently alter the landscape of college football.
“This is going to be the last threshold that pushes a certain percentage of college football into the professional football realm forever,” Drinkall asserted. He warned that the expansion could lead to a more pronounced divide between the sport's elite programs and the rest of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The Impact on Regular Season Importance
Drinkall expressed concern that expanding the postseason could diminish the significance of the regular season—a hallmark of college football's identity. “I think this is going to lead to a lessening of the regular season,” he explained. Though there may be a perception of parity in college football, he believes the quality of the game could decline.
Currently, the CFP operates with a 12-team format that includes automatic bids for champions of the major conferences as well as several at-large teams. With plans for expansion already in progress, including discussions with ESPN, the stakes are high.
Reportedly, a 24-team model would allow for automatic access to the four Power Four champions and the highest-ranked Group of Six champion, with other spots allocated through at-large selections. The proposed changes also seek to eliminate conference championships altogether, giving top seeds a bye in the first round.
Potential Consequences for Other Programs
Drinkall, who is rooted in the Mid-American Conference, fears that this model will widen the gap between the top programs and those less represented, potentially allowing powerhouse teams to disengage entirely from the NCAA framework.
“If they move to this, it will separate Power Four football into its own separate thing of Division I football,” he warned. This segregation could curtail the “Cinderella stories” that give hope to smaller programs, negatively impacting enrollment, fan engagement, and revenue generation.
“The regular season will matter less,” he continued, predicting that big-name programs will avoid challenging non-conference opponents to preserve their playoff hopes.
The Reactionary Nature of Change
Drinkall’s concerns extend beyond playoff expansion and touch on a broader trend in college athletics characterized by rapid changes. He outlined how recent years have seen a flurry of reactions to events such as COVID-19, leading to decisions made without sufficient foresight.
“One of my biggest concerns with it is I feel like everything is reactionary,” he remarked, questioning whether current actions are truly in the best interest of college football or merely serve short-term financial interests.
According to Drinkall, decisions seem increasingly focused on immediate financial outcomes rather than long-term sustainability. He believes this will lead to a point where schools might start to reconsider revenue-sharing practices due to their dissatisfaction with the current NCAA model.
Overall Outlook
As the CFP has evolved—from the BCS to the current 12-team format—many speculate that another transformation is just around the corner. Drinkall encapsulated the sentiment by stating, “It was only four. Man, it was 12. Now it’s 24.”
While the exact structure of the 24-team playoff is yet to be finalized, Drinkall's skepticism is clear as he reflects on the potential repercussions of such an overhaul. “So that’s what’s getting ready to happen,” he concluded, emphasizing his apprehensive stance on the future of college football.