Barry Alvarez: 'More access' needed to Playoff with expanded field
The College Football Playoff will stay at 4 teams through the existing contract. What that number is in the years to come is a different story.
During his opening remarks at B1G Media Days, Commissioner Kevin Warren was adamant that he is “100%” for expansion. Another report from Tuesday also revealed B1G ADs have had increased conversations around a 16-team Playoff format.
Since then, Barry Alvarez – former Wisconsin head coach/AD and special advisor to the B1G – has weighed in with his thoughts. In comments to Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, Alvarez said it is “important that we expand” so that more teams can access the Playoff.
Alvarez said he was open to 8, 12 or 16 teams and whatever model makes the most sense for the sport of college football. He did admit the 16-team format “made sense” when laid out and also tossed out the idea of every FBS conference having access to the Playoff.
Just chatted with former Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez, who was previously on the CFP selection committee.
Alvarez to @TheAthletic: “It’s important that we expand and have access for more teams. So, whether that’s 8, 12 or 16, I just think it’s important that we move forward.”
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) July 26, 2022
Alvarez also works for the Big Ten conference in advisory role. He hasn’t had conversations with Kevin Warren about this, but Warren also was adamant earlier that the CFP needs to expand and that he believes it will.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) July 26, 2022
