CFB Playoff expansion aids SMU, college football, Rick Hart says
The College Football Playoff committee made it official Friday, announcing its plans to expand to 12 teams. SMU athletic director Rick Hart is among those thrilled about the news that came right as the college football season begins.
In the announcement, it revealed more details about the new-look format. The aim is to expand as early as 2024.
SMU President R. Gerald Turner served on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers, pushing for the American Athletic Conference. The league long supported an expanded playoff and Hart is among those thrilled with the move.
“Today’s expansion of the College Football Playoff from the current format of four teams to 12 teams is exciting for the entire sport, but even more so for SMU,” Hart said in a statement. “The fact that the six highest rated conference champions are guaranteed a playoff spot is a major victory for us, providing a level of access that has been lacking for SMU and so many programs.
“We want to thank the Board of Managers for this unanimous decision, and I and the rest of the Mustang Nation owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Turner, as he represented the American Athletic Conference on this board and played a big role in this process.”
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Rick Hart excited about CFB Playoff expansion
SMU kicks off its first season under Rhett Lashlee on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT against North Texas in Denton, Texas. If the Mustangs win on Saturday, it’d be the fourth straight win over the Mean Green and even more reason to celebrate.
“This is a great day for SMU Football and the American Athletic Conference,” Rick Hart said. “I cannot think of better news to receive as we head into our first game tomorrow at North Texas.”
The 12-team playoff will feature six conference champions and the next six highest-ranked teams. The top four teams will get a bye, while the other eight teams play first-round games at campus sites. Quarterfinal and semifinal games will, in turn, be played at bowl game sites pending agreements with the bowls.
