(07-18-2017 01:53 PM)TerryD Wrote:  ND is solidly dug in on football independence and has no interest in joining the ACC in that sport, no matter what enticements there may be (short of a P4 conference champ only playoff scenario).

This is an interesting point. In the event of a Big 12 collapse and a P4 scenario in the near future, what are the odds that the CFP becomes an official playoff between the P4 conference champs? The current CFP deal expires after the 2025 season, right around the time of the potential realignment, so it would be an ideal time to change the format.

This would formally rule out G# schools from playoff eligibility, even though they have virtually no chance of qualifying under the current system anyway. The P4 would still need the G# schools for extra home games and relatively easy wins, so perhaps a portion of the CFP payout would still go the G# as compensation.