As the college football world embarks on its first season of the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) format, two former football stars, Charles Woodson and AJ Hawk, have expressed their support for the new system over the previous BCS (Bowl Championship Series) format. Their endorsement carries weight, given their vast experience and success in the sport, as both players enjoyed illustrious careers at the University of Michigan and in the NFL. Their backing of the new playoff structure reflects a broader trend in the sport, as many former players, coaches, and analysts have spoken out in favor of the CFP’s expanded field.
Under the old BCS system, college football’s national champion was determined by a combination of polls and computer rankings. While it had its moments, many felt the BCS system was flawed because it often left deserving teams out of the national championship conversation. The BCS was also criticized for making decisions that seemed arbitrary, and for leaving fans frustrated over the absence of a true playoff. Critics argued that it led to matchups that didn’t always reflect the best teams in the country, and that it lacked the drama and excitement of a true postseason tournament.
The introduction of the 12-team CFP format addresses these concerns by ensuring that more teams have a shot at the national title. With the new system, 12 teams, including the top six conference champions and the next six highest-ranked teams, will enter the playoff, guaranteeing that no deserving team is left out. The playoff includes an exciting mix of at-large bids and automatic qualifiers, ensuring that all the best teams in the country have a fair opportunity to compete. This is a stark contrast to the BCS, where some teams, particularly from non-Power 5 conferences, were often excluded from the national conversation.
For Woodson and Hawk, the 12-team format represents the ultimate fairness in college football. Both players acknowledge that the new system allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of teams, especially those that might have had one or two early-season losses but have shown their quality throughout the year. The expanded playoff offers more excitement for fans, with more games that carry weight and the potential for upsets. As they pointed out, the BCS often led to situations where fans felt like they didn’t get to see the two best teams face off in a meaningful game, something that the 12-team format can now rectify.
In addition to fairness, the expanded playoff has the potential to create more competitive balance in the sport. With more teams in the hunt for a national championship, there will be a greater incentive for programs from all conferences to improve. This will likely result in a more diverse set of teams competing for the ultimate prize, which is a refreshing change from the dominance of a few programs in the BCS era.
Ultimately, the endorsement of the 12-team format by figures like Woodson and Hawk signals the growing consensus that college football is moving in the right direction. Fans and players alike are excited to see how the new system unfolds and what it means for the future of the sport. For these former stars, the expanded playoff system reflects the ultimate form of competition—one where every deserving team has a shot at the title.
