Gators head coach Dan Mullen enters his fourth season at the helm in 2021. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Two Thumbs Up for CFB Playoff Expansion
Friday, June 11, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A four-person College Football Playoff Management Committee sub-group that includes Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey announced a proposal Thursday to expand the CFB Playoff from four teams to 12.
Initial reaction: Hallelujah!
The committee is scheduled to review the proposal at its June 17-18 meetings, and if approved, the four-team CFB Playoff as we know it could be gone as soon as 2023. Personally, I've been bored by the current system since after the 2016 season.
While the championship game in Tampa that season was a dandy (Clemson 35, Alabama 31), it was apparent that those two programs had a grip on the excitement the playoff system launched in 2014.
Not much has changed.
If the CFB Playoff had expanded to 12 teams in 2017, there's little doubt either Alabama or Clemson would have advanced to the championship game each season, or as both did after the 2018 season (their third head-to-head matchup for the championship in the playoff's first five years).
Still, after receiving an email Thursday from the CFB Playoff about the proposed expansion, my thoughts immediately turned to Florida's 2019 season. The Gators finished 11-2 and defeated Virginia in the Orange Bowl to cap head coach Dan Mullen's second season.
However, under the proposed expansion plan, the Gators would have been in the thick of the CFB Playoff as the No. 9 overall seed. With the top four teams getting a bye, the Gators would have traveled to Camp Randall Stadium for a matchup with No. 8-seed Wisconsin in the first playoff game in school history, with the winner advancing to play No. 1 LSU. While the proposed expansion plan calls for the quarterfinals, semifinals and national championship game to be played at neutral-site venues, the Nos. 5-12 matches will be held on campuses.
Winning at Wisconsin in December would have undoubtedly been a challenge for the Gators, but for fun, let's imagine the buildup to the game. Better yet, what if the Gators had hosted the Badgers? It's scenarios like those that get me excited about a 12-team CFB Playoff.
Here's another scenario from 2019 that could have happened: a Florida win over Wisconsin would have meant a rematch with Joe Burrow and LSU. The Gators traveled to Baton Rouge during the regular season and went toe-to-toe with the Tigers in the fourth career start for then-junior quarterback Kyle Trask before losing, 42-28.
"It's important that we consider the opportunity for more teams and more student-athletes to participate in the playoff," the four-person working group said in a statement. "After reviewing numerous options, we believe this proposal is the best option to increase participation, enhance the regular season and grow the national excitement of college football."
There's been a lot of chatter if the playoff should be expanded to eight, 12 or 16 teams. Twelve seems about right to me. It would have been perfect for the Gators in 2019.
Initial reaction: Hallelujah!
The committee is scheduled to review the proposal at its June 17-18 meetings, and if approved, the four-team CFB Playoff as we know it could be gone as soon as 2023. Personally, I've been bored by the current system since after the 2016 season.
While the championship game in Tampa that season was a dandy (Clemson 35, Alabama 31), it was apparent that those two programs had a grip on the excitement the playoff system launched in 2014.
Not much has changed.
How does today's 12-team CFP model fit past seasons? Here's what the last 4 years look like based on the proposed format. pic.twitter.com/0AYTN2j7Gz
— Max Olson (@max_olson) June 10, 2021
If the CFB Playoff had expanded to 12 teams in 2017, there's little doubt either Alabama or Clemson would have advanced to the championship game each season, or as both did after the 2018 season (their third head-to-head matchup for the championship in the playoff's first five years).
Still, after receiving an email Thursday from the CFB Playoff about the proposed expansion, my thoughts immediately turned to Florida's 2019 season. The Gators finished 11-2 and defeated Virginia in the Orange Bowl to cap head coach Dan Mullen's second season.
However, under the proposed expansion plan, the Gators would have been in the thick of the CFB Playoff as the No. 9 overall seed. With the top four teams getting a bye, the Gators would have traveled to Camp Randall Stadium for a matchup with No. 8-seed Wisconsin in the first playoff game in school history, with the winner advancing to play No. 1 LSU. While the proposed expansion plan calls for the quarterfinals, semifinals and national championship game to be played at neutral-site venues, the Nos. 5-12 matches will be held on campuses.
Winning at Wisconsin in December would have undoubtedly been a challenge for the Gators, but for fun, let's imagine the buildup to the game. Better yet, what if the Gators had hosted the Badgers? It's scenarios like those that get me excited about a 12-team CFB Playoff.
Here's another scenario from 2019 that could have happened: a Florida win over Wisconsin would have meant a rematch with Joe Burrow and LSU. The Gators traveled to Baton Rouge during the regular season and went toe-to-toe with the Tigers in the fourth career start for then-junior quarterback Kyle Trask before losing, 42-28.
"It's important that we consider the opportunity for more teams and more student-athletes to participate in the playoff," the four-person working group said in a statement. "After reviewing numerous options, we believe this proposal is the best option to increase participation, enhance the regular season and grow the national excitement of college football."
There's been a lot of chatter if the playoff should be expanded to eight, 12 or 16 teams. Twelve seems about right to me. It would have been perfect for the Gators in 2019.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballAaron Chiles Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Damieon George Jr. Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Billy Napier Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
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Wednesday, October 15
