Part 7/9:
As the struggle for inclusivity continues, there's a tendency to overcompensate by elevating teams from smaller conferences. The emotional responses driven by past exclusion have clouded rational judgment on who truly deserves a place in the playoffs. Just because non-power teams have historically been sidelined does not warrant automatic VIP status in today’s playoff narrative.
Instead of integrating smaller schools purely for representation, the focus should remain on identifying and admitting only the teams that have proven, through rigorous competition, that they can contend with top programs. This balancing act between inclusion and meritocracy is essential in maintaining the integrity of college football playoffs.