ACC Commissioner Advocates for Playoff Expansion After Notre Dame Snub

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips has called for the expansion of the College Football Playoff following the controversial exclusion of Notre Dame from this year's 12-team bracket. Phillips expressed concern over teams missing out on the playoffs, stating, "If you're leaving teams out of the Playoff that could win a national championship, then you don't have the right number." He referenced past situations, including Florida State's exclusion as the only undefeated team in 2022 and Alabama's controversial inclusion despite a weak performance.

Notre Dame's Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua has also advocated for expanding the playoff to 16 teams, indicating a consensus that current automatic qualifiers for conference champions and group of five teams create inequities in the selection process.

Critics point out that the committee's decisions often appear biased, especially against teams like Notre Dame, which was ranked higher than some teams that made the playoff. The selection process has drawn scrutiny, with accusations that the committee favors teams from certain conferences, particularly the SEC, over others.

This year's playoff field has left many questioning the fairness of the current format, prompting discussions about the need for a system overhaul to ensure all deserving teams have a chance at the national title.