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HokieAl HokieAl OP
Dec 11, 2025 at 11:44 PM ET
Visual reminder of P2 dominance of the playoff invites
There are 35 teams currently in the P2. This is 26% of the total FBS teams. Those 35 teams have gotten 70% of all the playoff spots from 2015 to 2025. Which leaves 99 teams (74% of the total FBS teams) competing for just 30% of the playoff spots. The playoff problem is not the selection committee. That is just a tool they use for the fringe cases. The real problem is the lack of access for 3 out of every 4 FBS schools. The current model is not sustainable. I suppose you could argue that it is more inclusive compared to the old days of just #1 vs #2. I personally think that is true and it's also true that the current model needs to change. ** Edited by HokieAl at 12/11/2025, 11:52:31 PM

18 Replies

V
VT ChemE 1986
7mo
Change to what? The bowls are the consolation prize.
But schools and players are saying no. If they want to stay home, that is their choice.
B
Big12 guy
7mo
I think they will go to paying players (NIL opportunities) with
the existing bowl structure. College basketball has already done that, in the post season for those that don't go to the dance, and a recent "tournament" in Vegas. From where I'm sitting, it's a no brainer.
HokieAl HokieAl OP
7mo
I'm only talking about the playoffs, not the bowls
V
VT ChemE 1986
7mo
So you want more teams with no chance of
winning in the playoffs?
B
Big12 guy
7mo
I do. "No chance"? A 16 seed would never beat a 1 seed was
the narrative right up until it happened. If they have no chance of winning, what are the big boys afraid of?
V
VT ChemE 1986
7mo
More is not better. Football is not basketball
There have traditionally never been more than 3-4 FB teams with any realistic chance of winning a championship. Now we want to include 16? OK, so a 16 seed team wins its first round and then gets destroyed later. If that’s what you want, fine, but it’s just entertainment.
I
I85Hokie
7mo
Right. That would be like letting a 7-9 team into the NFL playoffs
Just because they happened to win their weak division. Oh, wait…
B
Big12 guy
7mo
That is what everyone keeps saying, but I don't buy it. The
top conferences had a monopoly on the big bowls from the beginning of time It's how they developed "blue bloods". Win it on the field, it's the only way. Tradition sometimes isn't right. Go to 24 like the FCS, have the to 8 schools get a bye and a guaranteed home playoff game. Get rid of the traditional bowl venues, and let cities bid on the semi finals and final. Where is tradition today? If it's about money now - which it is, and may have always been, let's make the big bucks, and spread the wealth.
V
VT ChemE 1986
7mo
If the bowls are dying, which they are, I think that we have 2 options
1) Enlarge the championship playoff Or 2) Create a 2 tiered playoff system - Tier 1: 12 teams - Tier 2: 32 teams The second one works great for basketball and that would be my preferred approach for football.
B
Big12 guy
7mo
Expand the playoffs, and pay players for the other bowls.
HokieAl HokieAl OP
7mo
And for all the ND talk, they only made the playoff 3 times in 11 years
When the playoff was 4 teams they made it once as an independent and once as an honorary ACC member in 2020. When the playoff expanded to 12 teams they made it once last year. In comparison: SEC 11 of the 36 playoff spots (4 team version) BIG 8 of the 36 playoff spots (4 team version) ND 2 spots SEC 8 of 24 playoff spots (12 team version) BIG 7 of 24 playoff spots (12 team version) ND 1 spot
T
TerryD
7mo
How many individual teams have made it more than 3 times?
RTFC RTFC
7mo
0 without special rules for them.
HokieAl HokieAl OP
7mo
Including this year, it looks like...(edited to add 2014)
Alabama 9 Clemson 7 Ohio State 7 Georgia 5 Oklahoma 5 Michigan 3 ND 3 Oregon 3 Teams with 2 playoffs (Texas, Washington) For championship games appearances: Alabama 6 Clemson 4 Georgia 3 Ohio State 3 everyone else is just one champ game appearance from 2014-now. ** Edited by HokieAl at 12/12/2025, 1:25:22 PM ** Edited by HokieAl at 12/12/2025, 2:28:23 PM
T
TerryD
7mo
So, only five teams with more appearances......
.....out of how many schools? 130 FBS? 64 P4 schools?
HokieAl HokieAl OP
7mo
134 now. Yep it’s impressive
The very top tier is a very small group.
V
VPI_1998
7mo
I thought Oregon had at least 3 - 2014, last year and this year
HokieAl HokieAl OP
7mo
My database is only back to 2015 so far. But you are right
Go back just one more year to 2014 and you get Oregon FSU Alabama Ohio State I edited the post above to include. Great call out. ** Edited by HokieAl at 12/12/2025, 2:34:29 PM