The recent combative conversations concerning the first-round of the new college football playoff format has been interesting. Many thought expanding from four to a dozen participants would quell the strife.

The TV ratings proved views were interested. Each of the four games averaged 10.6 million viewers. That’s more than the four the non-CFP New Year’s bowls after the 2023 season averaged (8.14 million), and also topped the average for this year’s four major conference championship games (10 million).

For the first time in a long time, a pivotal college football game will challenge the NFL in garnering the attention of sports fans across the country.