Missouri's Drinkwitz Questions Conferences After 24-Team CFP Kills Power 4 Title Games
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Nov 10
Missouri's Drinkwitz Questions Conferences After 24-Team CFP Kills Power 4 Title Games
1 articles · Updated · ESPN · Nov 10
Summary
Eli Drinkwitz said Tuesday the end of Power 4 championship games leaves him wondering why conferences still matter if teams are simply chasing one of 24 CFP spots.
The shift follows the expanded 24-team playoff starting after the 2027 season; the SEC said its Dec. 5 game in Atlanta will be its 35th and final title game, with the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 also ending theirs.
Drinkwitz argued conferences may be reduced to scheduling vehicles, questioning cross-country travel and saying rapid changes from playoff expansion, NIL, realignment and the transfer portal have devalued rivalries, bowls and roster continuity.
Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert raised the same concern a day earlier, saying it feels odd to drop conference champions entirely even though title games can also knock bubble teams like No. 16 Wake Forest out of the field.
Starting next season, Power 4 leagues will award conference titles by regular-season standings, while the Army-Navy game takes over the former championship weekend as CFP teams get a bye.