Yes, a 12-team College Football Playoff has its flaws. Yes, there will be years when the outcome is frustrating. Yes, there will probably be a season in which Alabama goes 10-2, finishes third in the SEC, and yet gets into the playoff and wins three games to take home the title. It will be annoying. However, we can’t live in complete fear of Nick Saban and the SEC. They have scared a lot of college football fans into thinking a 12-team playoff is bad for the sport.
Let’s be clear: The 12-team playoff isn’t great. It isn’t the best way for college football to crown a national champion or conduct its postseason. We’re not trying to say this is an ideal plan. We’re trying to make the argument that the 12-team playoff is not uniquely or severely damaging to college football. Many people think it is, or will be.
No. The Bowl Championship Series — the BCS — was the darkest era in modern college football history. That was the worst time for the sport in the past 50 years. The 12-team playoff isn’t nearly as bad — imperfect, sure, but a lot better than the BCS.
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