The College Football Playoff’s first round served two competitive games and two blowouts. The reaction to that: Many fans and media types are demanding a change to the CFP bracket format.

Is that an overreaction to two lopsided games, or a worthy response? Let’s remember, last year’s playoff served up four first-round duds. So, at least this year provided an upgrade. That doesn’t mean this system is perfect.

On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Matt Hayes weigh in on the big CFP debate — just how badly does this format require revision?

Toppmeyer says we must face reality that there’s no escaping the possibility of blowouts. He’s unwilling to pin this squarely on the Group of Five. After all, no G5 teams were involved in playoff blowouts last season.

Even so, he’s open-minded to Hayes' ideas for playoff revision: Get rid of the automatic bids. Have the committee select the full field. But, first, fire athletic directors from the committee.

Later in the episode, the hosts preview the quarterfinals. They examine Miami’s potential to upset Ohio State and debate whether Alabama is for real or not.

The <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/12/20/miami-notre-dame-cfp-bracket-controversy-texas-am-score-college-football-playoff/87775066007/" aria-label="Link College Football Playoff">College Football Playoff</a>&rsquo;s first round served two competitive games and two blowouts. The reaction to that: Many fans and media types are demanding a change to the CFP bracket format.
Is that <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/12/21/college-football-playoff-format-fix-cfp-bracket-group-of-five-james-madison-tulane/87775077007/" aria-label="Link an overreaction to two lopsided games">an overreaction to two lopsided games</a>, or a worthy response? Let&rsquo;s remember, last year&rsquo;s playoff served up four first-round duds. So, at least this year provided an upgrade. That doesn&rsquo;t mean this system is perfect.
On today&rsquo;s episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/74952442007/matt-hayes/" aria-label="Link Matt Hayes">Matt Hayes</a> weigh in on the big CFP debate &mdash; just how badly does this format require revision?
Toppmeyer says we must face reality that there&rsquo;s no escaping the possibility of blowouts. He&rsquo;s unwilling to pin this squarely on the Group of Five. After all, no G5 teams were involved in playoff blowouts last season.
Even so, he&rsquo;s open-minded to Hayes' ideas for playoff revision: Get rid of the automatic bids. Have the committee select the full field. But, first, fire athletic directors from the committee.
Later in the episode, the hosts preview the quarterfinals. They examine <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/12/20/miami-wins-texas-am-score-cfp-game-carson-beck-malachi-toney-mark-fletcher-college-football-playoff/87775053007/" aria-label="Link Miami&rsquo;s potential">Miami&rsquo;s potential</a> to upset Ohio State and debate <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/12/19/kalen-deboer-says-michigan-can-wait-as-alabama-beats-oklahoma-in-cfp-first-round/87855507007/" aria-label="Link whether Alabama is for real">whether Alabama is for real</a> or not.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

The College Football Playoff’s first round served two competitive games and two blowouts. The reaction to that: Many fans and media types are demanding a change to the CFP bracket format. Is that an overreaction to two lopsided games, or a worthy response? Let’s remember, last year’s playoff served up four first-round duds. So, at least this year provided an upgrade. That doesn’t mean this system is perfect. On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Matt Hayes weigh in on the big CFP debate — just how badly does this format require revision? Toppmeyer says we must face reality that there’s no escaping the possibility of blowouts. He’s unwilling to pin this squarely on the Group of Five. After all, no G5 teams were involved in playoff blowouts last season. Even so, he’s open-minded to Hayes' ideas for playoff revision: Get rid of the automatic bids. Have the committee select the full field. But, first, fire athletic directors from the committee. Later in the episode, the hosts preview the quarterfinals. They examine Miami’s potential to upset Ohio State and debate whether Alabama is for real or not.

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