Did Matt Rhule Just Suggest the Worst CFP Format Ever?: “Did He Just Say Forty?!” – Matt Rhule’s Wild CFP Expansion Plea Sends Shockwaves Across College Football
College football fans are no strangers to controversial takes, but Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule may have just dropped the most head-scratching suggestion yet. During a recent media session, Rhule floated the idea of expanding the College Football Playoff (CFP) to forty teams. Yes, forty. Not sixteen, not twenty-four—forty.
The mere mention of the number sparked immediate backlash and disbelief from fans, analysts, and former players alike. Social media erupted with reactions ranging from laughter to outrage. One popular post simply read: “Did he just say forty?! Somebody take the mic.”
Rhule, known for his candid nature and willingness to challenge norms, framed his proposal around giving more student-athletes a playoff experience, drawing comparisons to college basketball’s March Madness. “There are 131 FBS teams,” he said. “Why limit the championship hunt to 4, 12, or even 16? Let’s open it up. Let the kids compete.”
But critics quickly pointed out the logistical nightmare such a format would cause. A 40-team playoff would extend the season deep into January or even February, straining players academically and physically. It would dilute the meaning of regular-season matchups, conference championships, and even bowl games.
More alarmingly, a playoff that wide risks rewarding mediocrity—potentially inviting in teams with 6–6 or worse records. “We’d be handing out playoff spots like participation trophies,” one analyst quipped. “This isn’t Little League.”
Even some Nebraska fans were scratching their heads, with one calling it “the most unserious CFP pitch in history.”
Whether Rhule was being fully serious or simply making a point about inclusion and opportunity, his “Forty-Team CFP” idea has certainly sparked the conversation. But if public reaction is any indication, don’t expect the selection committee to take him up on the offer anytime soon.
