Picture this: Ohio Stadium filled with the roar of the crowd, the Ohio State band marching, even as a sea of Tennessee orange stands side by side with scarlet. This was the atmosphere for the first of four College Football Playoff games hosted at campus locations, and it lived up to every expectation—just like the others in Texas, Penn State, and Notre Dame. Rece Davis nailed it when he highlighted the stark contrast between the electric energy of home games and the sterile, soulless feel of neutral bowl sites. And let’s be clear: that’s not even the main issue.
The real problem? Fairness. It’s a basic concept that’s been sorely lacking in the current format. Case in point: Oregon, the undefeated No. 1 seed, is set to face a powerhouse team at a neutral site—far from their home turf, where they should rightfully have the advantage. A higher seed should always enjoy home-field perks, and neutral bowl locations simply don’t provide that.
The financial strain on fans traveling across the country for multiple bowl games is another major issue. Oregon fans, already making trips to Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and beyond, are facing bills that can easily top $5,000. And that’s for the diehards who can afford it! Most fans won’t even make the trip, making it harder for fans to rally around their teams. That’s not fair to either the teams or their supporters.
The solution? Move the quarterfinals to home stadiums starting after the 2026 season. This shift would reward teams for their hard work in the regular season, provide more exciting atmospheres, and give fans a genuine postseason experience. The benefits are obvious: No. 8 seed Ohio State should face No. 1 Oregon at Autzen Stadium, while other matchups like Penn State at Boise State and Texas at Arizona State would add even more intensity to an already thrilling playoff format.
This move isn’t just about improving the fan experience—it’s about making the College Football Playoff as fair and exciting as possible. The NFL doesn’t send teams to neutral sites for their playoff games, so why should college football? It’s time for the playoff to adopt the same model, with the bowls hosting only the semifinals and national championship game.
While the current bowl-centric structure has its place, the traditional postseason model is outdated. With a 12-team playoff, a team could play up to 17 games, and the existing bowl system just can’t keep up. College football’s leaders need to prioritize fairness and fan experience over outdated traditions. Moving the quarterfinals to campuses is the obvious, intelligent choice—and it would make the entire tournament more dynamic, accessible, and fair for all teams and fans.
