Is Money Ruining College Football? The CFP, Conference Champs, and Notre Dame's Hissy Fit
The dust has settled on the regular season, but the controversy is just heating up! The new 12-team College Football Playoff bracket is finally out, and the SMQB crew wastes no time tearing into the committee’s biggest—and most predictable—scandal: the inclusion of Alabama. How does a team with three losses, including a recent, decisive defeat, still make the cut? The hosts break down the evidence, arguing that the Crimson Tide is in purely on “reputation, not merit,” igniting a fiery defense and counter-defense over SEC bias, strength of schedule, and whether the entire system is designed to favor the biggest names. Tune in to hear one host’s furious argument for why Bama should have never been in the top 10 to begin with.
But it’s not all about the Power Four. This new bracket has given a sliver of hope to the underdogs, and the hosts are ready to defend their turf. The conversation shifts to the Group of Five’s Cinderella teams, Tulane and JMU, and their hard-earned spots. One passionate Tulane alum on the panel is ready to call out the hypocrisy of Power Four schools that refuse to play these Group of Five teams in the regular season but complain when they make the playoff. The fate of the entire Group of Five system may rest on how Tulane and JMU perform, and the hosts lay out the pressure, the potential for a massive upset, and the changes that could be coming if the underdogs get “waxed.”
Beyond the bracket controversy, the team dives into the ridiculous political machinations behind the scenes and how the structure of the tournament seems to have “paved the road to the championship” for one particular powerhouse. They also offer a scathing take on one college football giant who decided to take their ball and go home, calling the bowl boycott a display of “the worst sportsmanship.” If that’s not enough, stick around for the always-fun “Who You Bringing to the Bar” segment, featuring a Buccaneers fan meltdown over their coach, a Nationals “wonder kid” GM, and a spirited debate over whether Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is staying or going. Don’t just read about the chaos—listen to the full, unfiltered debate!