OU AD Sees College Football Playoff Expansion as Key to Reviving Rivalries and Tougher Schedules
The expansion of the College Football Playoff is opening new doors for programs seeking to elevate their schedules and reignite classic rivalries. Oklahoma athletics director Roger Denny expressed optimism that a broader playoff field will incentivize the Sooners to pursue more challenging non-conference matchups, including the possibility of renewing their storied series with Oklahoma State.
The College Football Playoff is undergoing a major transformation, shifting from a four-team to a larger field, which many in the sport believe will reduce the penalty for taking on strong non-league opponents. With more playoff spots available, a loss in a high-profile out-of-conference matchup is less likely to end a team's championship hopes.
- The expanded playoff format provides a safety net for elite teams with difficult schedules.
- Programs can schedule premier opponents without risking their path to the postseason.
- Historic rivalries disrupted by conference realignment may have a chance to return.
Oklahoma's traditional rivalry with Oklahoma State, known as the Bedlam series, has been one of the sport's most passionate matchups. However, conference realignment and differing scheduling priorities have put the future of the annual game in doubt. Denny acknowledged that with the playoff expansion, there's now a realistic path for the Sooners to face the Cowboys in non-conference competition, while also strengthening their schedule with other marquee opponents.
Denny also pointed out the broader benefits for college football. As teams gain more freedom to schedule aggressively, fans could see an increase in high-stakes, nationally relevant games early in the season, boosting the sport's popularity and media appeal. This shift could help balance tradition with the realities of the modern playoff era.
While the specifics of future schedules remain to be seen, Denny's comments reflect a growing consensus among athletic directors and coaches: the expanded playoff isn't just about crowning a champion, but about reshaping the entire landscape of college football scheduling and reviving classic rivalries that define the sport's history.