PLAYOFF OVERLOAD? BYU Cougars' Playoff Dreams EXPLODE as College Football Debates 24-Team Expansion

College Football Playoff expansion takes center stage as a proposed 24-team format raises questions about the sport’s competitive future. Is this massive playoff the answer to more inclusion or merely a ploy to pad resumes for Power Four coaches and programs on the fringe? Jake Hatch and Spencer McLaughlin dissect the AFCA board’s ambitious recommendations, spotlighting the motivations behind expanding playoff access and what it means for teams like BYU and head coach Kalani Sitake, who have narrowly missed out in the current 12-team system. The discussion explores whether expanding to 24 teams amplifies the drama or leads to a slate bloated with undeserving teams, such as last year’s 8-5 Duke and inconsistent Iowa squads. The hosts point out that, while Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars could benefit statistically, the move threatens to sap meaning from the regular season and invite forgettable first-round blowouts, echoing the college basketball tournament’s regular season irrelevance. There’s in-depth analysis on the downside of letting conference champions—regardless of strength—into the playoff, and the likely increase of lopsided matchups if FCS-style formats take hold. Meanwhile, positive suggestions emerge, including calls to eliminate conference championship games and move the College Football Playoff to an early January finish. Both Jake and Spencer express strong support for these changes, viewing them as wins for players, coaches, fans, and media alike. Yet, the specter of financial incentives looms large: a 24-team field could inflate bonuses and create artificial milestones for coaches, while athletic directors and agents capitalize on the new landscape. Is the driving force genuine competition or a relentless pursuit of revenue? Listeners are challenged to reconsider what they value most about college football’s postseason. Can traditions be preserved amid change, or is the sport destined to mirror the college basketball model—where March tournaments mean everything and regular-season stakes fade? Tune in for sharp insights, spirited debate, and a forward-looking take on where the College Football Playoff might be headed, and whether money, rather than merit, will ultimately decide the game’s future. Support Locked On Cougars: Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms and on YouTube! Join the NEW Locked On Cougars Everydayer Club by clicking here! If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else. SUPPORT US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS FanDuel - Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game  Indeed - Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Rugiet - Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl. Rugiet - Performance medicine for men FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow the Locked On Cougars podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest with regards to the podcast and BYU sports news. Please remember to subscribe, enable notifications, rate and review the show. If you are interested in advertising with Locked On Cougars or the Locked On Podcast Network, please email us at [email protected]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.