The time to scrap the current CFB Playoff is almost now

The current CFB Playoff format is not the be-all and end-all for future arguments over the teams selected. More excluded teams than ever will claim to be treated unfairly. The current format's seeding structure will likely inflate one or two teams into undeserved seeds.

The core problem is the compromise that allowed the 12-team format to happen sacrificed picking the best teams. Inclusion was favored to the extent the result can be compared to participation trophies in youth sports.

The number of 12 teams is not a problem. It's possible 14, or even 16 might be better in some ways. The problem is the automatic qualifiers going to conference champions. Instead of five, the number should be zero.

Making sure conference championship games still mattered was a worthy goal. But compromising the integrity of the Playoffs was a too-high price. The automatic qualifiers destroyed the original primary purpose of the Playoffs, which was identifying and selecting the four best teams.

The 2024 CFB Playoff cycle is almost guaranteed college football's 12 best teams will not be selected. Two or three more deserving teams may be left out. Left out; because lesser teams are rewarded based on conference championships.

This week for the first time six teams from one conference hold spots in the AP Poll's top seven teams. The conference is the SEC. The six SEC teams are No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Texas, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Ole Miss, No. 6 Missouri, and No. 7 Tennessee. The only other top-seven team is Ohio State at No. 3.

At the end of November, the rankings may be very different. But what if they are close to being the same, with maybe six or seven SEC teams in the top 10? The first 12-team Playoff will not have six SEC teams, and maybe will not have five SEC teams, no matter how many are highly ranked.

Scrapping the current CFB Playoff 12-team format

If that happens (it is tempting to say when it happens) the current 12-team format should be scrapped. In its place should be a format with zero automatic qualifiers. In such a situation, what are the odds the format flaw will be approved? If the odds are not 0%, they are not much higher.

So, let's stop using 'best teams' in any description of the CFB Playoffs. That is until the SEC and the Big Ten join forces and create a separate Playoff.