Why Nebraska Fans May Not Want An Expanded College Football Playoff System

You should think about the long term rather than just react emotionally to current affairs.

Two days ago I took the time and effort to explain why the four-team College Football Playoff did not need to be expanded to eight or more teams. I brought up the fact that people typically don’t want to do more work without more compensation. Many of the responses I got, both here and on social media (Facebook), were of the “players are already paid” type because they get a free scholarship. And steak dinners (that was a comment on FB). I suspect most of these responses are of the “I didn’t get that when I was in college so neither should they – damn millennial’s, get off my lawn” variety. It’s interesting that fans demand their coaches be paid millions of dollars but anytime student-athlete pay is mentioned many fall over themselves screaming of impropriety.

I enjoyed your responses so much that I’m going to expound on my position and try to explain why you, as a Nebraska football fan, may not want an expanded playoff system.

To begin our conversation, we must go back to 1996. As you know, our beloved Cornhuskers won national titles in ‘94 and ‘95. Nebraska was rolling again by the end of the ‘96 season, overcoming an early 19 – 0 loss to Arizona State. The Cornhuskers were ranked #3 going into the Big 12 title game against Texas. If they won, they would face #1 Florida State in the Sugar bowl for a shot at an unprecedented third consecutive national title. They did not win, losing 37 – 27 to Texas, as most people remember the famous fourth-down play by James Brown.