Some fans aren't thrilled about the idea of the College Football Playoff expanding to 16 teams, but from a Michigan Wolverines perspective, it's actually a good thing.
Every Big Ten team should feel the same way, because under this new proposal, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the Big Ten and SEC would be guaranteed four playoff berths each. The ACC and Big 12 would be guaranteed two berths. There would also be three at-large selections and one auto berth for the top-ranked Group of Six champion.
Dellenger also reports, along with other reports previously, that the Big Ten and SEC could hold play-in games on the same weekend as their championship games. So for instance, the top two teams in the Big Ten would play and be guaranteed playoff berths.
The third place team would face No. 6, while No. 4 would play No. 5 in the final stands for the final playoff berths. That means the Michigan Wolverines, or any Big Ten team, would need to finish sixth to control its own destiny for a playoff spot.
You wouldn't need to worry about rankings anymore. Of course, they would help build the case for an at-large berth, so even if you were the No. 3 seed, if you lost a close game to a Big Ten playoff team, you could still be selected depening on the resume.
A 16-team bracket just seems cleaner. Every team would get to host a game, then would meet in the quarterfinals. You wouldn't have to upend the bracket.
This would also get rid of the guaranteed bye for the top four conference champions. It wouldn't matter in this format. The College Football Playoff selection committee should just seed the teams 1-16, no matter they qualify, just like the NCAA basketball tournament.
it feels like that's where this is headed. 15 years ago, a 16-team College Football Playoff seem impossible. Now, we might be just a year away and it's a great thing for the Michigan Wolverines, and every team in the Big Ten.
A decision is expected in the "next two months," Dellenger said.