It doesn’t matter what anyone tries to do with it, no one is ever proud of the School Soccer Playoff. The Large Ten Convention appears decided to be sure that continues to be the case.
In keeping with a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Saturday, the Large Ten is floating the thought of increasing the School Soccer Playoff but once more, going from 12 groups to as many as 24 or 28 groups.
The proposed concept for the 28-team mannequin, per Thamel, would give each the Large Ten and the SEC seven computerized bids, whereas the ACC and Large 12 would obtain 5 every. There would even be two auto bids for non-power conferences and two extra at-large spots.
At this level, that is nonetheless a report of an concept. It isn’t even an official proposal but.
It ought to keep that means.
The School Soccer Playoff system is way from good, and there are undoubtedly modifications that may — and will — be made in an effort to seek out the nationwide champion. However having a bunch of mediocre groups that no one desires to look at play in prime video games will not be actually the answer.
Only for perspective on this: Beneath this concept, groups like 8-5 Michigan would have been playoff groups a yr in the past, because the Wolverines had been the seventh-place crew within the Large Ten.
Whereas that may be a big-name faculty, the Wolverines weren’t a very nice crew in 2024, actually not on the extent of a nationwide championship contender.
Even worse, this proposal would have groups like 9-4 Louisville and 8-5 Baylor within the discipline.
Who’s asking for that, in addition to most likely Louisville and Baylor?
Extra on the proposal, from Thamel:
“The 28-team format would put 20 playoff video games on campus, which might intensify the success of that from final yr’s CFP. The CFP committee would seed the sphere and choose the at-large groups. Large Ten commissioner Tony Petitti ran the thought by his convention Wednesday, sources mentioned, and that it has begun being shared by others.”
Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger reported that there are a number of 20-plus-team concepts being thrown round that may get rid of convention championship video games. He additionally added that each one of those concepts are nonetheless very a lot of their infancy and never but near occurring.
The factor about that’s, as soon as school soccer individuals get an concept into their brains and begin speaking about it, there may be often no stopping them from doing it. It’s often only a matter of how lengthy it takes them to do it. They’ve the facility, they run the game, they usually realize it.
They needed a four-team playoff. They finally obtained it.
When that wasn’t adequate and made individuals mad about who was disregarded, they needed a 12-team playoff. They obtained it.
Now that it’s nonetheless making individuals mad over who does and doesn’t get in, they need extra groups concerned. They are going to finally get it.
Even when no one else desires it.
