The 2023 College Football Playoff could have been spared controversy with a 12-team format that would have included undefeated Florida State and fallen No. 1 team Georgia. But with the playoff remaining at four teams for the final time, both the Seminoles and Bulldogs were left out of the field. Let’s envision a 12-team playoff for 2023, with the top six conference champions earning automatic berths and six wild card spots available for top teams who didn’t win their conference.
The four conference champions would have received byes into the second round, with the expansion of the field to include five conference champions and seven wild cards. The first-round matchups would have been extremely compelling, including a rematch between Georgia and Ole Miss, and a battle between Oregon and Missouri.
The game between Georgia and Ole Miss would have pitted two dynamic teams against each other, representing a rematch of a November contest that the Bulldogs won easily. Another exciting first-round matchup would have been between Oregon and Missouri, with two high-performing quarterbacks leading their respective teams. Bo Nix of Oregon and Brady Cook of Missouri each achieved impressive statistics in 2023, making this matchup a highly anticipated one.
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.