Jedd Fisch Advocates for 24-Team College Football Playoff Expansion

Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch recently hopped on College Sports on SiriusXM and didn’t hold back. He pitched a 24-team College Football Playoff (CFP) and pushed for a non-conference schedule made up exclusively of Power Four teams.

Fisch thinks this setup would help everyone get a better sense of each league’s true strength before conference play even starts. Unsurprisingly, his ideas have stirred up plenty of chatter across college football circles.

Jedd Fisch’s Vision for a 24-Team College Football Playoff

Fisch is all in on expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams. He argues that this would make crowning a national champion a lot fairer and more thorough.

In his mind, a bigger playoff gives teams with tough schedules a shot, even if they’ve taken a couple of losses along the way. That seems reasonable, doesn’t it?

Advocating for a Power Four Non-Conference Schedule

But Fisch doesn’t stop there. He’s also tossing out the idea of shaking up the non-conference slate.

Picture this: The first three weeks of the season, it’s nothing but Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and ACC teams squaring off. Fisch says this would make it way easier to judge how strong each conference really is, right from the jump.

• Week 1: Big Ten vs. Big 12; ACC vs. SEC
• Week 2: Big Ten vs. SEC; ACC vs. Big 12
• Week 3: Big Ten vs. ACC; SEC vs. Big 12

He figures that putting top programs against each other early would help voters and fans rank teams with more confidence.

The Rationale Behind Fisch’s Proposal

At the heart of Fisch’s idea is the belief that the current system doesn’t really reflect how tough some teams’ schedules are. He’s pointed out that, say, a 9-3 team from the Big Ten could actually be better than a 10-2 team from a weaker conference.

If Power Four teams face off early, Fisch thinks we’d get a much clearer read on which teams are truly elite. It’s hard to argue with wanting more clarity, right?

Addressing Potential Concerns

Of course, not everyone’s on board. Some folks worry that this plan would leave out Group of 6 teams and programs with less money to throw around.

There are also some headaches to figure out. For example, moving traditional rivalries—like the Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State—to Week 1? That’s bound to rub some fans the wrong way.

Potential Benefits

Still, there’s a lot to like about Fisch’s proposal, at least on paper:

• Improved Rankings: Teams would be tested against the best early, making rankings more meaningful.
• Exciting Matchups: Fans get big-time games right out of the gate. Who doesn’t want that?
• Fairer Playoff System: More teams with tough schedules get a real shot at the title.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Exclusion of Smaller Conferences: It could push Group of 6 and smaller programs even further out of the spotlight.
• Logistical Issues: Changing up long-standing rivalries and juggling schedules is no small feat.
• Resistance to Change: Let’s be honest, plenty of folks just don’t like change—especially in college football.

The Path Forward

The college football world is buzzing over Fisch’s proposal. Any changes to the playoff system or non-conference schedule won’t happen overnight, that’s for sure.

It’s a tricky balance—trying to make things fair while keeping the games exciting for everyone. Every stakeholder matters here, from powerhouse conferences to the smaller schools hoping for a shot.

For more details on Jedd Fisch’s proposal and what it could mean, you can check out the full article on UW Huskies Wire. It’s worth a look if you’re curious about where college football might be headed.