Does The College Football Playoff Expansion Benefit Texas?
Maybe now with the new College Football Playoff rules, they will be. It was always expected for the CFP committee to eventually move past the Final Four approach and into expansion. If all goes as planned, 2023 will be the first time more than four make the cut. Try 12. For the Texas Longhorns, this is a good thing. In fact, for all major schools looking to contend for a conference title, it's a blessing in disguise. No longer will players huddle around a TV show, praying they are hoisting a trophy and betting on their schedule to carry weight. Win and you're in. All five conferences will be represented. At least one non-Power 5 school will be in as well. Open season. Yawn. READ MORE: Former Longhorns F Kevin Durant Sets Playoff Record with Triple-Double  Texas is looking for its first conference title since 2009. They also are looking for their first appearance in the College Football Playoff since its expansion in 2014. The way that Texas fans always envisioned. The battle in the Big 12 feels like a three-man race every season  Oklahoma, Texas, insert surprise team here. Last season it was Iowa State. In 2019, Baylor took charge. Naturally, it becomes boring watching the same three, plus the wild card always represent the New Year's Eve shindig. Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson own property in all six cities, ready for the call of where they're headed. More often than not, Oklahoma lands in the No. 4 spot. In the seven seasons of the playoff, the four teams mentioned represented 20 of the 28 selections. Two more have been claimed by Notre Dame. Alabama has missed once. Making 12 teams adds more names to the final pot, giving everyone an opportunity to win it all if they played well enough. Now losing the conference championship isn't a sour note. If your record is good enough, the consolation prize is competing for the national title. Heck, if you're really good, you might even host a playoff game. No. That shouldn't be the case in the slightest. READ MORE: Longhorns Recruiting: NFL Scout on Arch Manning vs. Trevor Lawrence  The playoffs have become a bore, but the teams there are selected for the right reason. Every team selected has either finished undefeated or had one loss on its season. Because they're good. They've earned it. They won't have to anymore since two or even three losses still could land you the No. 12 seed. Texas is hopeful for brighter days ahead under Steve Sarkisian. Pieces are in place for them to contend right away. Call him an expert in the recruiting game. The Forty Acres will soon be back in winning in the recruiting game. Sarkisian was brought into Texas back to the title game. That means perfection, not persistence. Teams with two losses are basically receiving a participation trophy and a pat on the back to be included. 'Good job. You're all special' says the College Football Playoff Committee. Give me a break. READ MORE: Texas Longhorns Top Talent for 2021: No. 1 - RB Bijan Robinson  Texas is hopeful 2021 and beyond are playoff seasons, but they must earn it. Earn is the keyword, but one forgotten in the realm of sports today. If Texas wanted 9-3, Tom Herman had another year on the deal. Expansion was always destined to happen. Eight teams is the max it should ever be  the conference champions and three at large. Done deal. Keep in mind that the past three seasons, at least three teams finished with one loss or better. That was less than a decade ago. Now, we're reaching a dozen. Texas will benefit from expansion, but let's not pretend they will contend with three losses. No one ever said 'three losses means top team.' And no one ever will. Comment and join in on the discussion below! Sign up for your premium membership to LonghornsCountry.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network! Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook