35. Is A 24-Team Playoff Good for Pitt? Plus, Previewing Miami

Is expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams actually good for college football? On Episode 35 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris Gates breaks down the proposed 24-team College Football Playoff and what it could mean for Pitt, the ACC, and the future of the sport. For programs like Pitt, expansion could create a much more realistic path to the playoff and open new opportunities for recruiting, fundraising, and national relevance. But at what cost? College football is becoming more and more like the NFL, and a larger playoff could further diminish the importance of the regular season, eliminate conference championship games, widen the divide between the Power Four and Group of Six, and continue to erode the traditions and rivalries that have made college football special for generations. Is the sport sacrificing its identity in pursuit of more money? Plus, Pitt heads to Miami this weekend to take on the No. 1 Hurricanes as a massive underdog. Coming off two straight losses, with major questions at quarterback and a struggling defense, do the Panthers have any realistic chance of competing? Chris examines Miami's potential weaknesses, what Florida State exposed in its recent matchup with the Hurricanes, and what Pitt needs to do to avoid another disappointing performance. Topics include: Why a 24-team playoff could benefit Pitt Whether playoff expansion is hurting college football's regular season The future of conference championships and traditional rivalries The growing financial divide in college football Is college football becoming too much like the NFL? Pitt vs. No. 1 Miami: Matchup breakdown, keys to the game, and predictions -- Subscribe everywhere » https://pittsburghfootballpodcast.transistor.fm/subscribe  PFP Website » https://pittsburghfootballpodcast.com/ Join our Mailing List! » https://mailchi.mp/f0b2fd6460f5/pittsburgh-football-podcast-mailing-list-sign-up  -- TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 03:31 - How a 24-Team Playoff Benefits Pitt 16:06 - How a 24-Team Playoff is Bad for College Football 20:45 - Conferences Won't Mean Anything Anymore 24:15 - How This Impacts G6 Conferences and Teams 28:37 - The Business Side of A 24-Team Playoff 35:36 - Pitt-Miami: A Letdown Spot for the Canes? 42:51 - Does Miami Have Any Weaknesses?