Exploring the Future of College Football Postseason Beyond the Expanded College Football Playoff

With the expanded College Football Playoff locked in through 2031, questions still remain about what the rest of the postseason will look like. Despite the playoff expanding from four to 12 teams this season, there is still uncertainty surrounding the future of bowl games in college football.

While the playoff has shifted the focus away from traditional bowl games, there is no denying that bowls still hold a special place in the hearts of college football fans. However, player opt-outs have become more common in recent years, raising questions about the overall significance of these postseason matchups.

According to industry experts, the future of college football may include revenue sharing with players and potential name, image, and likeness compensation deals. As player compensation becomes more prevalent, there may be an expectation for student-athletes to perform at a certain level in exchange for their compensation.

This year, there will be 36 bowl games played outside of the College Football Playoff, with four first-round games taking place on campus sites. Despite the abundance of bowl games, there is speculation about whether there will still be a need for three dozen matchups in the future.

Conferences currently have contractual agreements with bowl games, but there is a push for more flexibility in the selection process. This would allow for more compelling matchups to be made based on the available teams, rather than being locked into predetermined conference deals.

As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, the future of bowl games remains uncertain. However, one thing is for sure – fans can expect to see plenty of exciting matchups in the years to come.