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The College Football Playoff race watched Ohio State football strengthen its chances Saturday. Especially in a tight Big Ten Conference race. But one insider brought up a bold idea moving forward involving OSU, Michigan and Penn State.
It involves going the independent route before the postseason field increases to 24 teams.
College football insider and columnist for ESPN Dan Wetzel presented the bold idea Sunday morning. He started off his idea with a rant.
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“College athletics is terrible at seeing problems around the corner. The 24-team playoff is the latest example,” Wetzel began on the social media website X, formerly Twitter. “A lot of schools that supported this will regret it because in the end it won’t be about the playoff or even the now diminished regular season.”
Wetzel brought up how Notre Dame, as an independent, “has the best situation in all of football.” Citing how “almost 100 percent guarantee to make the playoff, freedom to schedule as it wishes, maximization of its own media value.”
Hence why he believes it’s time for the Buckeyes, Wolverines and Nittany Lions to follow suit and break off.
“The 18-team Big Ten is bloated, distant and winning it carries little intrinsic or competitive value for the biggest brands,” he added.
Wetzel believes all three can create a scheduling agreement that can increase media revenue by almost three times. Plus can select their own schedule.
While intriguing, all three still needs to scour the nation to find 10 other teams willing to face them. Including those in close proximity. Notre Dame already lost USC on its annual schedule due to the Trojans’ status as a Big Ten team, featuring playing a nine-game conference schedule. But this expanded playoffs could force more independent teams, Wetzel envisions.
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