College Football Playoff Expansion Sparks Debate Over 'Growing the Game'

College football's decision to expand its playoff field to 24 teams, coupled with ongoing conference realignment and the proliferation of the transfer portal, is prompting concerns that the sport is losing its identity by increasingly mirroring the National Football League.

This expansion is the latest in a series of changes aimed at "growing the game," a phrase often associated with niche sports seeking broader appeal. However, critics argue that this pursuit is detrimental to the integrity and unique appeal of college football.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) itself was initially conceived as a response to the perceived unfairness of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system. The format evolved from a four-team playoff to a 12-team model, and now, the move to 24 teams raises questions about the limiting principle of such expansions. Skeptics question whether a 32-team playoff would follow if 24 proves insufficient.

Beyond the playoff structure, other developments such as conference expansion and realignment, along with the free movement of players through the transfer portal, are further pushing college football towards an NFL-like framework. Proponents of the expanded CFP often cite the NFL's high percentage of playoff-qualifying teams, suggesting the college game should adopt a similar model. However, this argument is countered by the sentiment that fans who prefer the NFL structure can simply watch professional football.

Historically, college football was characterized by passionate, regionally focused fan bases, with the game's structure reflecting this. The current trend of expansion and professionalization risks diluting this distinctiveness and appealing to a "lowest common denominator," according to critics.

While the financial incentives for expanding the playoff and growing the game are understood, some argue that prioritizing revenue over the existing fan base's preferences is unsustainable in the long term. The comparison is drawn to other sports, like hockey, where attempts to "grow the game" have allegedly attracted a different type of fan, potentially altering the sport's culture.

The core argument against these changes is that college football has always held a unique place in the American sports landscape, distinct from the NFL. The concern is that by striving for broader appeal through increased professionalization, the sport may alienate its core supporters and lose the very qualities that made it beloved.