What FBS Can Learn from FCS Playoff Expansion
Big news in college football: the College Football Playoff (CFP) system is expanding to include 24 teams from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). This is a huge shakeup, and honestly, it’s about time for some fresh energy in the postseason.
The idea here is to open up more chances for teams, especially those that don’t usually get the spotlight. With this move, the CFP committee’s making a real statement about wanting more inclusivity and competition in the sport.
Now, let’s get into what this actually means. The expanded playoff will feature automatic bids for conference champs, plus at-large bids for the top-ranked teams. So, it won’t just be the usual suspects every year.
They’re hoping this change brings more excitement, more unpredictability, and—let’s be honest—a bit more chaos to college football. Who doesn’t want that?
It’s also a big win for fans, schools, and conferences. More teams in the mix means more games, and that’s never a bad thing if you love watching football in December and January.
For smaller programs, this could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Teams that have been overlooked in the past now get a real shot at the national title.
That kind of exposure can do wonders for recruiting. If you’re a high school athlete, wouldn’t you look twice at a school that can actually get you into the playoff?
Plus, more playoff games means more TV coverage. That’s money, attention, and maybe even some bragging rights for programs that don’t usually get either.
Speaking of money, the expanded format is expected to boost revenue across the board. More games, more tickets, more merch—everyone’s looking for a piece of that pie.
TV networks are already circling, hoping to snag the rights to these extra games. It’s not hard to imagine some bidding wars breaking out over the best matchups.
Streaming platforms and sports channels are going to love this. It’s more content, more ad slots, and a bigger audience.
Looking ahead, this 24-team playoff could just be the beginning. College football is always changing, and this move might spark even more shifts down the road.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine. Organizing a playoff this size isn’t simple. There are going to be headaches—scheduling, travel, making sure games stay competitive, and keeping players safe and sane through it all.
The CFP committee’s got their work cut out for them. But if they can pull it off, college football fans everywhere might have a lot to look forward to.
Conclusion
The move to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams from the FCS really is a big deal for college football. It opens up more chances for teams to get in on the action at the highest level.
With this expansion, the postseason’s bound to feel more unpredictable and, honestly, more fun. There’s something cool about knowing more teams get their shot, even if it shakes up traditions.
If you want the full story, check out the article on the New York Times website.
