College Football is a Quadopoly and That Needs to Change

 The College Football Playoff Committee reveled their first bracket of what the CFB playoff would look like if the season had ended last week and there were a few glaring things that stood out to me that have made me question why I even watch college football. 

One thing that stands out is that Alabama is siting pretty at #2. I think one of the reasons I love sports is that most leagues, the best teams don't always get in. The NCAA Tournament doesn't have the best 68 teams. The NFL Playoffs aren't the best 14 teams and so on. That's what makes qualifying for the playoffs so fun. 

The Alabama situation will play itself out. Either they beat Georgia and are worthy or they will have two losses and will likely be out considering no two loss team has ever made it. Unfortunately, they will likely put them in and make an exemption because the committee has favoritism. 

I have criticized the committee ever since they snubbed TCU and it is completely obvious that they are only after money and they want the big schools in. 

The other glaring mistake was putting Cincinnati at #6. They look unbelievable when they are firing on all cylinders and won At Indiana and At Notre Dame. So what else do they need to do. The Group of five might as well form their own CFP if they don't get in this year. This year feels like their best chance with all the crazy upsets. 

Wake Forest - To me this feels like a slap in the face to the ACC more than anything. It also ties into the favoritism that the committee shows. If it was Clemson that had the same resume than that team would be closer to #4. If they win out it will be a historical season for them but getting into the Top 4 will be hard. 

The last team that is interesting is Oregon. Might be the most controversial team in the Top 10. Despite their win over Ohio State they haven't looked that great. However, the comittee recognized some key things that a team like Wake Forest might not have gotten. For one, Fresno State is a good win. What looked like a underwhelming win has now worked in their favor as the Bulldogs have proved to be a very talented team. 

Oregon also has the swagger of the National eye as their connection with Nike really benefits them in getting in marquee games. Other teams love to hate them and they are one of the most talked about teams in college football. 

For instance, look at the teams that have competed for a College Football Playoff. Only Michigan State is the only non football powerhouse. 

APP	School	Conf	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
6	Alabama	SEC	SF	CH	RU	CH	RU		CH
6	Clemson	ACC		RU	CH	SF	CH	RU	SF
4	Ohio State	Big Ten	CH		SF			SF	RU
4	Oklahoma	Big 12		SF		SF	SF	SF
2	Notre Dame	Ind./ACC					SF		SF
1	LSU	SEC						CH
1	Oregon	Pac-12	RU
1	Georgia	SEC				RU
1	Florida State	ACC	SF
1	Michigan State	Big Ten		SF
1	Washington	Pac-12			SF

       

The College Football landscape is controlled by four main teams. For me it sucks because teams like TCU, Baylor Wake Forest and Cincinnati need way bigger pieces of pie.