College football’s playoff expansion debate reached new heights when Nebraska coach Matt Rhule suggested a 40-team format. The controversial comment sent shockwaves through the sports world, drawing fierce criticism from analysts and fans alike across social media platforms.
CBS Sports analyst Josh Pate didn’t hold back his disgust at Rhule’s proposal, taking to social media with a scathing response. The college football expert’s reaction perfectly captured the widespread outrage that followed Rhule’s suggestion for postseason restructuring.
Josh Pate Rips Matt Rhule’s 40-Team College Football Playoff Suggestion: ‘I’m Throwing Up’
Pate’s reaction came via X, where he posted, “Just saw the Matt Rhule 40 team playoff quote I’m throwing up.” The tweet posted on May 22, 2025 quickly gained traction with over 167,000 views reflecting the widespread attention Rhule’s comments had generated.
Just saw the Matt Rhule 40 team playoff quote
I’m throwing up
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) May 21, 2025
When a fan suggested that Rhule might have been joking, Pate fired back with another response “Are you saying I was click baited?” This exchange highlighted how seriously many analysts interpreted Rhule’s comments, despite the Nebraska coach’s satirical delivery during his interview.
Pate wasn’t alone in his criticism of the proposal. Fox Sports’ Aaron Torres slammed the idea as encouraging mediocrity in college football. On3’s Ari Wasserman suggested coaches should focus on improving their teams rather than lobbying for easier playoff access routes.
The controversy stemmed from Rhule’s May 12 interview with HuskerOnline, where he stated “The more spots the better. Make that thing 40 and let’s go.” His comment was meant to highlight perceived inequities in college football’s postseason structure, particularly regarding scheduling imbalances.
Rhule’s frustration centered on the Big Ten requiring nine conference games compared to the SEC’s eight, creating what he viewed as a competitive disadvantage. The Nebraska coach used hyperbole to draw attention to these fairness concerns in the current 12-team playoff format.
Despite the outrage, many missed that Rhule’s suggestion was satirical commentary on college football’s structural problems rather than a serious proposal. The coach was highlighting legitimate concerns about conference scheduling disparities affecting playoff qualification chances for deserving teams.
Fan reactions proved equally divided, with some intrigued by the “March Madness” atmosphere a 40-team bracket might create. However, critics worried such expansion would dilute regular season importance and reward mediocrity over excellence in college football competition.
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On3 created a hypothetical 40-team bracket using 2024 ESPN FPI rankings, showing teams with losing records like Oklahoma (6-7) and Auburn (5-7) would have qualified.
While playoff expansion discussions continue around 14 or 16 teams, Rhule’s 40-team suggestion remains highly improbable. His exaggerated proposal successfully sparked necessary conversations about fairness and access in college football’s evolving postseason landscape, even if analysts like Pate found the idea bad.
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