When the Playoff expands to 12 teams, the last thing you want to be is an 11-1 team stuck in a conference championship game. At 11-1 in a Power Five conference you're guaranteed a spot in a 12-team Playoff, but at 11-2? It might be close. You'll probably still make it—unless your conference has other 11-1 teams waiting in the wings for a bid, too.
The Michigans, Tennessees, and Mississippis of the world will suddenly be happy at 11-1 and glad that someone on the other side of Ohio State and Alabama has to take the risk.
And with the SEC and Big Ten expanding into super-conferences, there might be several 1-loss teams left out of the conference title games...and they'll say, that's perfectly fine.
Sure, winning the conference title game means you're in (the six top ranked conference winners get bids), so if you have 2 losses you probably need the boost. And if you're undefeated, you probably get in anyway win or lose. But at 11-1, it's best not to risk it if you're ranked high.
Makes me wonder if there's an opt-out?
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