Mississippi State Football Coach Mike Leach Looks Beyond 12-Team Playoff

While some college football coaches and players have spoken out against an expanded 12-team playoff, Mississippi state coach Mike Leach wants even more participation.

When asked if 12 teams are enough, Leach said on Wednesday: “It’s never enough.”

“But I’ll tell you what,” he said, “Mark Keenum, our chairman, is on this committee so I know they’re in good hands. I think this part is exceptional.

“I think 12 teams is a huge step in the right direction. Personally, I would love to see 64, and you can define that quite easily.”

UNC coach Mack Brown said earlier this month his team were not in favor of the 12-team model.

North Carolina linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel told ESPN that no one on the team raised a hand in favor of a 12-team playoff, adding that while a few players preferred to stay at four, the majority was split between six. and eight teams.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said on Tuesday that he and his players were also not in favor of the 12-team extension, but added that the move was “inevitable”.

“Our team is not for that,” said Swinney. “They don’t want to play more games. And, to be honest with you, I don’t know if there are 12 good enough teams. So you’re going to play more games just to play more games. And I think that the more you extend it, the less important the season gets and the more you become the NFL, okay you are in the playoffs? well you know, why play trevor [Lawrence] in this game if you’re already there? All of a sudden you’re not in the top 12 and the kids just aren’t playing anymore. “

Last month, the College Football Playoff announced it would consider moving from four to 12 teams.

The proposal, which was drafted by a subcommittee consisting of Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick and Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson, calls for the four conference champions the highest ranked are ranked 1-4 and receive a pass in the first round.

Teams 5-12 would meet in the first round on the field of the top-ranked team. The quarter-finals and semi-finals would be played in bowls and the national championship match would remain on a neutral venue.