The first year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff has truly been a boon for the sport. Many teams, such as the Colorado Buffaloes, have found themselves with a greater opportunity to vie for the ultimate glory. Those familiar with my views know that I advocate for an increase in the number of teams in the CFP. However, a recent X post on Reddit College Football has presented an intriguing alternative.

How the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments Inspire

The first two days of the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments are nothing short of captivating. Considering that 19.3% (68 out of 352) of Division 1 teams make it to March Madness, it seems logical to have the top 25 in college football (25 out of 134, which is 18.7%) participate in the CFP. Since we're not there yet, let's borrow another idea from college basketball - the National Invitation Tournament. The NIT has a long history, having been around since 1938 and once being the premier postseason college basketball tournament.

How Many Teams Would Be Included in the College Football NIT?

In college basketball, the NIT features nearly half of the NCAA Tournament teams, inviting 32 programs. For the football version, we'll make a slight variation and invite the remaining 13 teams in the final CFP rankings. This provides an additional opportunity for teams to showcase their skills and compete for a postseason title.

How Will the Bracket Work in the College Football NIT?

The 13 teams would be seeded from 1 to 13. In Week 1, there would be a play-in game between the No. 12 seed and the No. 13 seed. The winner of this matchup would then face the No. 5 seed in Week 2. Meanwhile, No. 6 would play No. 11, No. 7 would play No. 10, and No. 8 would play No. 9. The top four seeds would receive a bye, just like in the NCAA Tournament. There would be no reseeding throughout the tournament.

Where Would the Games Be Played in the College Football NIT?

The first three weeks of the NIT would be held on the home turf of the higher seed. Once we reach the final four, a bid system similar to the NCAA Tournament would be implemented to determine the hosts of the final three games. Mid-tier bowls like the Alamo Bowl or Holiday Bowl could bid for these games. If they agree to host the NIT, they would be removed from the bowl system for that year. In the 2024 scenario, the semifinal games would take place in San Diego (Holiday Bowl) and Jacksonville (Gator Bowl), with the championship game in Las Vegas (Vegas Bowl).

Which Teams Would Have Been Included This Season in the College Football NIT?

Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss, and South Carolina would be the top four seeds and receive a Week 2 bye. Seeds No. 5 through No. 8 are BYU, Iowa State, Missouri, and Illinois. The remaining five teams would all be on the road in Week 2, including Syracuse, Army, and Colorado. UNLV would play Memphis in a Week 1 play-in game in Las Vegas. These teams bring a diverse range of talents and strategies to the NIT.

Who Would Win the 2024 College Football NIT?

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Miami Hurricanes would undoubtedly be the favorites in this setup. However, there are also the potential for big upsets. UNLV could beat BYU, and Colorado could make a run to the semifinals, setting up a thrilling quarterback matchup between Miami's Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. Colorado might just have the edge, riding the play of Sanders and Heisman favorite Travis Hunter. They could emerge victorious and claim the first-ever college football NIT championship.