The Future of College Football's Conference Title Games in the Playoff Expansion Era

As college football prepares for an expanded playoff era, the future of conference championship games is being questioned by commissioners. With the introduction of a 12-team playoff format, many of the stakes and significance of these games may diminish, as a significant number of teams participating in this year's Power Five championship games would already secure a playoff berth regardless of the outcome. Coaches have expressed concerns about playing an extra game with little at stake before potentially playing three or four more playoff games, raising concerns about player injuries. However, there are financial and logistical challenges to eliminating conference championship games, and the decision ultimately depends on evaluating the overall impact on college football.