Kalen DeBoer Discusses Future of College Football Playoff Expansion
There really isn’t an offseason in college football, is there? Lately, talk about expanding the College Football Playoff (CFP) has stirred up all kinds of debates among coaches, analysts, and fans.
After missing out on the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff during the 2024-25 season, Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide managed to make the field this past season as the No. 9 seed. They beat 8-seed Oklahoma, but their run ended in the quarterfinals against 1-seed Indiana, who went on to win the whole thing.
This article takes a look at what DeBoer thinks about the possible CFP expansion and what it could mean for teams like Alabama.
Contents
DeBoer’s Perspective on CFP Expansion
At the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Florida, head coach Kalen DeBoer shared his take on CFP expansion. He pointed out that these conversations have been going on for a while, especially after the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bumped up from 68 to 76 teams.
Popular Expansion Models
DeBoer said the most common models being floated are 12, 16, and 24 teams. “I’ve heard the arguments for 12, 16, and 24 teams,” he said. “And I can make an argument for all of them.”
For DeBoer, though, it’s less about the number and more about just winning every game. That way, you don’t leave your fate up to a committee.
Automatic Bids and Selection Criteria
Right now, the CFP committee gives automatic bids to the champions of the Power 4 conferences, plus one slot for a Group of 6 team. This setup has sparked plenty of debate among coaches and analysts.
Nick Saban’s Advocacy
Nick Saban, former Alabama coach and current College GameDay analyst, has always pushed for the best teams to make the CFP, whether it’s four or twelve. DeBoer’s on the same page—he thinks the goal should always be to get the best teams into the Playoff.
The SEC’s 9-Game Schedule
The SEC’s new 9-game schedule is another wrinkle in the CFP selection process. The SEC’s got more CFP appearances, wins, and national titles than anyone, so their influence in these discussions is hard to ignore.
Impact on Strength of Schedule
DeBoer pointed out the challenge that comes with fewer out-of-conference games. “How does the 9-game schedule play in? There’s no secret formula,” he said.
“We know there will be fewer out-of-conference games, making it harder to understand the strength of schedule across conferences.” It’s a headache, honestly.
Alabama’s CFP History
Alabama’s got quite the history in the CFP, with a bunch of appearances and several national championships. Here’s a quick snapshot of their record:
- 2014-15: No. 1 seed, lost semifinal
- 2015-16: No. 2 seed, won National Championship
- 2016-17: No. 1 seed, lost National Championship
- 2017-18: No. 4 seed, won National Championship
- 2018-19: No. 1 seed, lost National Championship
- 2020-21: No. 1 seed, won National Championship
- 2021-22: No. 1 seed, lost National Championship
- 2023-24: No. 4 seed, lost semifinal
- 2025-26: No. 9 seed, lost quarterfinal
Future of the CFP
The future of the CFP? Still a hot mess of opinions and proposals. DeBoer seems pretty clear that he doesn’t care as much about the number of teams.
“To me, when it comes to the Playoff and the number, it’s about making sure that the best teams are in the Playoff,” he said.
Ensuring Fair Competition
He really hammered home the idea that the best teams should be in, no matter if it’s 12, 16, or 24. “Are the 12 best teams in the Playoff, or the 16, the 24? Are those the best teams in there?” he wondered out loud.
As a competitor, he just wants fairness to be the guiding principle. And, honestly, who could argue with that?
Conclusion
The chatter about expanding the College Football Playoff just won’t quit. Stakeholders keep tossing around different models, and honestly, who knows where it’ll land?
One thing’s for sure—people want to see the best teams in the Playoff. Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban both hammered that point home.
Winning every game is still the main thing. Nobody wants a committee to have the final say, but that’s where we are for now.
If you’re curious about what Kalen DeBoer really thinks about all this, check out the full article here.
