Fact or Fiction: 14-Team Playoff, Lance Leipold's Contract, Next Breakout Big XII QuarterbackFact or Fiction: 14-Team Playoff, Lance Leipold's Contract, Next Breakout Big XII Quarterback

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Farrell | Last updated 2/29/24

In today’s Fact or Fiction, I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. A 14-team playoff is a bad move.

Farrell’s take: FACT

I knew the power brokers from the SEC and Big Ten would pull this crap. When they talked of forming a non-alliance, it was step one towards amazing favoritism to the two conferences because of their immense TV deals and wide appeal.

So now they will suck up six of the 14 playoff bids as automatic qualifiers and could obviously add more. Giving auto-bids to the top three from the SEC and Big Ten kind of ruins the end of their conference seasons. The death of the regular season is underway.

It won’t stop at 14, either. The Big 12 and ACC get two each under the new proposal, and the G5 gets one, leaving three at large bids. Notre Dame will get one most years and then likely a couple more from the SEC and Big Ten. This move kinda stinks, but it will happen.

A 14-team playoff model is being socialized that would grant 3 AQs each to Big Ten/SEC, 2 AQs each to Big 12/ACC, 1 AQ to G5 + 3 at-large, sources tell @YahooSports.

The model is not finalized & is not the only option. More discussion/vetting is expectedhttps://t.co/n5TUg76jRQ
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 28, 2024

2. Lance Leipold is underpaid.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Lance is set to make $7 million a year, it seems, but that’s not enough. The job he’s done at Kansas football is astonishing, and he’s allowing this football program to pay coaches more, upgrade facilities, and more.

Essentially, he’s saving the football program as it could easily be tossed aside with realignment to the Super Two. Kansas has now become an attractive expansion partner because of something other than basketball. I know they aren’t going to pay a football coach $10 million a year like Texas, but I do think he’s overpaid and has done a better job than many higher-paid coaches.

3. Avery Johnson will be the Big 12 breakout QB of 2024.

Farrell’s take: FACT

It’s subtle, and you gotta look at it closely. His stats won’t jump off the page, but in the bowl game against NC State, I saw something.

His accuracy will be an issue until he gets his footwork down and finds his timing and rhythm, but his ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing is appealing. He’s also a natural leader and will be well-coached. No new QB will have this kind of impact in the Big 12.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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