Brian Kelly on expanding College Football Playoff: The more the better

As the news spread around the country of the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, members of the media wanted to get the pulse of top college football head coaches opinions on the matter. One of the coaches recently asked about the expansion was none other than LSU‘s Brian Kelly. Kelly didn’t stay on the topic for too long, but he did suggest when it comes to the playoffs, the more, the merrier.

“I don’t know that I have a particular date. I would like to see it expanded if they think that they can bring it all together. The more, the better for me in terms of playoffs,” said Kelly.

Heading into this championship weekend, LSU fell to No.13 in the College Football Playoff rankings following an upset loss at the hands of Texas A&M. That loss ended any chance the Tigers had at being a part of this year’s playoff. But, if they chose to expand the playoffs for this bold season, a win over the number one team in the nation Georgia, would undoubtedly punch their ticket into the CFP as the SEC champs.

Unfortunately, that plan, too, would no longer be in play after the Tigers fell to the Bulldogs 50-30 in the SEC championship game. So either way, the Tigers would be on the outside looking in but certainly, one year’s results won’t change Kelly’s stance on the matter.

Kelly defends endorsement of 12-team playoff

The Tigers had a legitimate shot at making the CFP coming into the regular season finale. Ranked No. 5 heading into their matchup against Texas A&M last weekend, a victory and subsequent SEC Championship would have firmly slotted the Tigers into a top-four spot. Instead, they were handled by the Aggies and are ranked No. 14 heading into conference title week.

Tigers head coach Brian Kelly, a noted fan of the expansion, discussed how it can help programs like LSU compete for a CFP berth on a yearly basis.

“I just like more access, I guess. I’m a Division II football coach. I grew up with more teams involved in the playoffs. I liked that atmosphere,” Kelly said. “I don’t know that I have any kind of earth-shattering statement on it, I just like more access. I think you get some playoff games on campus, you involve the bowl games, keep them involved in it. I think it keeps more teams in the hunt as the season goes on in terms of vying for playoff spots. I think it’s exciting for college football.

“I don’t think in any way it takes away from the championship, the conference championships. We’ll see how that goes. That’s certainly up for discussion. Excited about the growth. I think it just keeps obviously the interest in the playoff chase further into the season.”