For the last 10 years, only four teams could compete in the College Football Playoff. The new format implemented this year allows for 12 different collegiate teams to compete for the trophy. The main reason for the change is so that teams are not unfairly left out of the competition; for example, many people believed that Florida State University (13-1) deserved a spot in the playoffs last year. Senior football player Mason Bussone believes the new structure is a good addition to college football.

“There is always going to be viewers that believe a team should have made the playoffs or a team should not have made it,” Bussone said. “But I do think it is a fair bracket this year.”

Now that more teams are being considered for playoffs, there is more room for error in the regular season. Teams can lose a couple of games and still make it into the bracket. This means that there will be more teams that believe they are getting snubbed. Senior football captain Roddie Rathmann thinks that the new design might make teams not try as hard in future regular seasons.

“It would make games a little less competitive in the regular season because you can afford to lose one or two games,” Rathmann said.

The new bracket might make big powerhouse schools experiment with different things. However, smaller schools will try that much more because it increases their chances. For example, two teams this season made the college playoffs for the first time in their school’s history. Southern Methodist University and Arizona State University are experiencing their first ever playoffs.

“It gives chances to teams like Boise State, a Mountain West team,” Rathmann said. “A team who normally would not make it because their strength of schedule is not high enough, even though they have the wins.”

Rathmann uses Boise State as an example of a team that only made the playoffs because they are the Mountain West conference champions. Overall, the new bracket additions are good for college football teams. The structure has nothing but benefits for football viewers. The added games give watchers more entertainment. They provide streaming platforms and stadiums with more revenue. It also increases the chances for college football teams to make history for their school.