In the aftermath of yet another College Football Playoff (CFP) round featuring lopsided outcomes, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration with the selection process and the state of the playoff system. Kiffin, known for his candid commentary, took aim at the CFP committee for what he called “predictable blowouts” that are tarnishing the excitement of the postseason.
The outspoken Rebels coach made his remarks during a press conference ahead of Ole Miss’s upcoming bowl game, offering sharp criticism of the criteria used to select teams and its impact on competitive balance.
Kiffin wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room: the consistent pattern of first-round CFP games resulting in one-sided contests.
“Every year, we’re sitting here watching the same thing,” Kiffin said. “You get two or three teams that clearly belong, and then there’s that one team that sneaks in based on something other than performance on the field. And what happens? Blowouts. It’s not good for the sport, it’s not good for the players, and it’s not good for the fans.”
The 2024 playoff once again highlighted this issue, with at least one semifinal game ending in a decisive rout. Critics argue that the current system often prioritizes brand names, conference affiliations, and marketability over on-field results, leading to imbalanced matchups.
Kiffin specifically called out the selection process, questioning the transparency and consistency of the committee’s decisions.
“How are we determining who gets in?” Kiffin asked. “Is it based on the best teams, the best résumés, or just the biggest brands? Because if it’s the latter, you’re going to keep seeing these blowouts, and it’s not fair to the teams that actually deserve a shot.”
Kiffin’s frustration reflects a broader sentiment among coaches and fans who feel the current four-team format often overlooks deserving teams from smaller conferences or those without a rich playoff pedigree.
Kiffin also used the opportunity to advocate for the upcoming 12-team playoff format, set to debut in 2024. He believes the expanded system will provide a more accurate representation of the best teams in the nation and create more competitive matchups.
“With 12 teams, you’re giving more programs a shot,” Kiffin said. “You’re letting teams prove it on the field instead of just guessing who deserves to be there. And most importantly, you’re giving fans games they actually want to watch—games that are competitive from start to finish.”
The expanded format will feature first-round games played at campus sites, a change Kiffin praised for its potential to create electric atmospheres and ensure that higher-seeded teams earn their advantage.
Kiffin also expressed concern about the long-term impact of blowouts on college football’s reputation.
“Fans tune in to see the best of the best competing at the highest level,” he said. “When you get games that are over by halftime, it takes away from the excitement and hurts the credibility of the playoff system. We’ve got to do better.”
The Ole Miss coach argued that a more competitive postseason would not only benefit players and fans but also elevate the sport as a whole.
While Kiffin’s comments may ruffle feathers within the college football establishment, they reflect a growing consensus that the CFP system needs significant changes to maintain its relevance and appeal. As the sport transitions to a 12-team playoff format, many are hopeful that the expanded field will address some of the issues highlighted by Kiffin and others.
For now, Lane Kiffin’s critique serves as a reminder that even as college football evolves, the quest for fairness and competitive balance remains a work in progress. Whether the expanded playoff delivers on its promise or introduces new challenges, one thing is clear: the days of predictable blowouts must come to an end if the sport hopes to thrive in its postseason showcase.