The college football season is upon us, and it's unlike any other we've seen before. Major conference realignment has shaken up the landscape, while the College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams. Get ready for a wild and unpredictable season filled with new matchups and storylines.
The start of the 2022 college football season marks a significant turning point in the sport's history. Two of the five power conferences—the ACC and Big 12—have undergone major realignment, with a total of nine schools changing conferences. This shakeup has created numerous new rivalries, altered the competitive landscape, and left some teams feeling the heat of increased pressure.
The New Era of College Football: Conference Chaos and Playoff Expansion
The ACC has added Pittsburgh and Syracuse from the Big East Conference, while losing Maryland and Virginia to the Big Ten Conference. This has given the ACC a more northern presence and added to their already strong football tradition. However, the loss of two quality programs has left some questioning the overall strength of the conference.
The Big 12 Conference has undergone even more significant changes, losing four members—Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma—to the Pac-12 and SEC conferences. In their place, the Big 12 has welcomed BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. This has created a more geographically diverse conference and added some exciting new rivalries. However, it has also raised questions about the long-term viability of the conference without some of its traditional powerhouses.
Not only has conference realignment changed the landscape of college football, but the College Football Playoff has also undergone significant expansion. The playoff, which has been at four teams since its inception in 2014, will now expand to 12 teams in 2024. This expansion will give more teams a chance to compete for a national championship and create more exciting and unpredictable playoffs.
However, the expansion has also drawn criticism from some who argue that it will water down the regular season and make it less meaningful. Additionally, the playoff format is still being determined, and there is potential for confusion and frustration among fans.
Despite these changes, the upcoming college football season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. New rivalries, expanded playoffs, and a shifting competitive landscape will keep fans on the edge of their seats all season long. Whether you're a diehard fan or a casual observer, get ready for a wild and unpredictable season of college football.
