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Ohio State Football: UMBC’s win over Virginia a case for an 8-team CFP

By Thomas Scurlock

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the trophy after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the trophy after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Proof the CFP should be expanded. More teams would have a chance at winning the title, and a good team like Ohio State wouldn’t be left out.

University of Maryland Baltimore County’s upset over No. 1 seeded Virginia in the NCAA Tournament was historic.  Should it serve as proof that college football needs to expand its post-season to eight teams over four?

I realize I am obsessed over this issue, probably to the point of needing therapy.  At least that is what my family believes. That’s okay.

I think the current system is a glorified invitational and not a playoff. It lacks legitimacy because it is an eye test that leaves out Power 5 conference champions and a handful of others that deserve a chance to play for the title. Just like last season’s Ohio State football team was.

I understand all of the reasoning why it sits at four teams, scheduling, protecting the sanctity of the regular season, ensuring a compelling bowl season and player health.  I am not persuaded.

Who says the playoff must start on December 31 or January 1 and end on the second Monday in January?  The schedule can be adjusted.  Play the quarterfinals the weekend after the conference championship games and then resume after the holidays.

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The regular season is not diminished by allowing the Power 5 champions and three at-large teams into the playoff.  The teams still need to win their conference or finish with just one loss, and in the case of a non-Power 5 team finish undefeated.

There will be a year where a conference champion will have three losses and probably does not belong in the discussion, but those seasons will be rare.

Making the bowl season exciting does not hinge with a four-team playoff. Most of the games are barely watchable and with the rise of key players sitting out to avoid injury, I suspect the decline in competitiveness will continue.

Adding one game for two teams will not jeopardize the players’ health. And a deserving team like Ohio State won’t be left out.

I may be in the minority by holding the position that the Football Bowl Subdivision needs to allow eight teams into its playoff.  It does not mean I am wrong.

Next: 3 questions for the offense this spring

If Division III, the FCS and just about every other sport gets it right, there’s no reason why the power brokers in the FBS can’t give us what we deserve.

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