“Grow the game.”
It’s a phrase you hear quite often on social media these days, particularly with more “niche” sports like hockey or golf.
Just this past week, a different sport has made yet another attempt to “grow the game,” as college football announced it will be expanding its playoff from 12 to 24 teams sometime in the near future.
Plenty has been written on why this is a bad idea, mostly with regard to destroying what was once the greatest and most consequential regular season in sports, and while I share those sentiments, I’m looking to attack this from a different angle.
This isn’t even the first time college football has attempted to “grow the game” and appeal to a wider audience.
HERE’S WHY THE COACHES ASSOCIATION’S 24-TEAM COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF COULD RUIN THE SPORT
The College Football Playoff logo is seen on an end zone pylon during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The College Football Playoff, since its very inception, was created in part to appease those who cried that the BCS was an unfair and antiquated system.
So we went to a four-game model, then a 12-game model, and now that 12 isn’t enough, we have moved to 24.
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Surely, that’s the end of it, right?
If 24 is good, is 32 better? Where is the limiting principle?
And it’s not just the Playoff, either.
Conference expansion and realignment, as well as an unfettered transfer portal, has college football looking more and more like the NFL by the day, and that’s by design.
SEC, BIG TEN ARE DOMINATING COLLEGE FOOTBALL THANKS TO MASSIVE ADVANTAGES OVER OTHER CONFERENCES
CFP trophy during the College Football Playoff press conference and media roundtable on November 19, 2022, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
One of the biggest arguments I’ve seen in favor of the expanded CFP is that the NFL has a certain percentage of its teams make the postseason, and that a 24-team model will have those numbers look closer to the NFL.
With all due respect, if I wanted to watch the NFL, I’d just watch the NFL.
HERE’S WHY, EVEN WITH ALL ITS PROBLEMS, COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS STILL BETTER THAN THE NFL
Can we stop trying to turn college football into something that “everyone” wants to watch?
Because you’re not just appealing to a wider audience, you’re appealing to a lowest common denominator as a result.
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College football was never the most popular sport in America, but it was certainly the most beloved.
Fans were insanely passionate and regionally focused, and the game reflected that.
The folks who “didn’t get it” were more than welcome to tune out.
The Indiana Hoosiers lift the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) (CFP/Getty Images)
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I understand from a money perspective why college football is trying to “grow the game,” and my colleague Trey Wallace wrote a great piece about that, but sacrificing the will of loyal fans for the almighty dollar is unhealthy for the sport long term.
I mentioned the NHL trying to “grow the game,” and while that has gotten them slightly more exposure, it’s also attracted fans who read “Heated Rivalry” with pronouns and “Free Palestine” in their social media bio.
College football isn’t for everyone. It never was.
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So stop trying to include the ones who weren’t on board from the start.
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If you like the NFL, that’s great. But let us enjoy our Saturday religion while you enjoy your Sunday corporate clash.