David Pollack, former ESPN analyst and College Football Hall of Famer, has stirred controversy by suggesting that college football eliminate conference championship games. His comments come as the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams, with further growth already under discussion.
David Pollack Says Conference Championships Are Becoming Pointless in the Expanded Playoff Era
David Pollack recently raised eyebrows with his sharp critique of conference championship games in the era of College Football Playoff expansion. Speaking on the See Ball Get Ball podcast, Pollack didn’t mince words about what he sees as a growing issue in the sport’s evolving postseason format.
“I think the conference championship games will be an interesting discussion point with that,” Pollack said, referencing the CFP’s jump to 12 teams. “Again, if you’re going to add on more and more games to the body, yeah, I do think (championship games should go away). But that’s also going to be money. That’s also going to be data points. But yes, that needs to go away.”
Pollack’s comments come amid mounting debate over the future of conference title games. While matchups like the SEC and Big Ten championships generate massive revenue and national attention, critics question their utility now that the playoff bracket has widened.
With more teams given a shot at the national title, a loss in a title game could unnecessarily derail postseason hopes, leading some to argue that these games may do more harm than good.
Player health is another key concern for Pollack. With expanded schedules pushing elite programs toward 20-game seasons, he warned of the toll on athletes.
“We need to talk about safety of kids at some point,” Pollack said. “Well, when you keep putting on more and more games and they’re finishing with 20 games in a regular season, that’s a lot to ask, man. That’s a lot.”
Despite Pollack’s push for change, not everyone agrees. ESPN insider Pete Thamel believes conference championships can still coexist with an expanded playoff.
“I think that’s a conversation that’s going to continue to evolve right now,” Thamel said. “I just, my opinion is I don’t honestly think we’ll get there. I think it will go, there will be a conference championship game with guarantees and then there will be play-in games, if you will, on the others.”
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Pollack’s stance reflects growing concerns about the relevance of league title games in a new postseason format. As the sport undergoes sweeping changes, his remarks have added fuel to ongoing debates about the future of college football’s structure.
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