College football analyst Paul Finebaum is sounding the alarm on the idea of 24-team college football playoff expansion. The analyst labeled the massive bracket increase 'absurd' and warned that the sport is risking its unique identity.

While the Big Ten and ACC push for more teams, Finebaum argues that further expansion rewards mediocrity.

On The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul Finebaum spoke against the idea and said that the sport is getting close to losing its uniqueness, according to College Football HQ on SI.

“I can assure you of this, Greg Sankey or no Greg Sankey, I still think 24 is an absurd idea,” Finebaum said.

Finebaum believes that doing so will make the sport lose its identity. The difference that this change would make is that it would lessen the weight of the games. Under this format, teams with multiple losses would still stay alive in the competition.

The expanded format would certainly boost entertainment value. However, critics argue that the larger bracket essentially rewards mediocrity. Back when there were four-team playoffs, things were different, with only one national champion finishing the regular season with more than one loss.

Then there is also the fear of injuries with increased games. This would invariably force teams to play as many as 17 games. With roster depth, unlike the NFL, that would be dangerous.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, however, has a different take on the matter.

Sankey Is Open To Expansion Ideas

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is more lenient towards the 16-team format than the 24. Sankey’s hints suggest a growing conference appetite for playoff expansion.

"We’re open to the conversation, but there are a lot of ideas out there that have to be supported with analysis and information, not speculation," Sankey had said earlier, as per an ESPN report.

Yet Sankey has decided to make a call after ample research. The Big Ten conference is, however, looking to expand the bracket to 24 teams. Sankey also took reference from Oklahoma's late push into the playoffs last season as the blueprint.

Putting all this into perspective, an NCAA committee suggested Football Bowl Subdivision teams play a 12-game schedule. That would span over 14 weeks beginning in 2027. 

On another note, just like the Big Ten, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips isn't averse to the idea of a 24-team format either. Phillips recently announced that he is also very much in favor of a 24-team model. The Big Ten originally proposed the format change.

With bigger formats, there's also the revenue that comes with it. Administrators view the expanded format as a primary driver for increased television and gate revenue. However, it is at 16 that they are drawing the line.

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Rudra Dubey