The conversation around expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams is gaining traction, and its ripple effects could reshape how traditional rivalries are scheduled.
Rivalry Games at a Crossroads
Historically, matchups like USC versus UCLA have been positioned as the final regular‑season showdown, often serving as a de facto warm‑up for conference championship aspirations.
If the playoff field swells to include a broader array of contenders, the stakes of those late‑season games will shift, prompting conferences to reconsider timing and opponent selection.
Strategic Scheduling for the Trojans and Bruins
Analysts suggest that USC and UCLA could move their head‑to‑head contest a week earlier, ensuring it does not become the last game of the regular season for either program.
By inserting a less formidable opponent in the final slot, both schools would preserve the health of their star players, allowing them to enter the playoff with full strength.
Such adjustments would also provide a clearer competitive barometer before the first round of the expanded tournament, potentially influencing seeding and matchup planning.
While the proposal raises logistical questions — such as broadcast windows and travel considerations — it reflects a broader effort to align regular‑season structure with the ambitions of a 24‑team playoff.
If adopted, the changes could set a precedent for other conferences, prompting a nationwide reevaluation of how late‑season rivalries are used as both sporting and strategic tools.