End of an Era: Four-Team College Football Playoff Concludes After Decade-Long Run

As the system wraps up with the national championship game, critics and supporters reflect on its impact and look ahead to the new 12-team format.

College Football Playoff 1.0, a four-team playoff system, wraps up a 10-year run with the national championship game between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington.
The four-team playoff system was conceived in 2012, following 16 years of the Bowl Championship Series, and was seen as a necessary step in the evolution of the postseason.
The system helped the rich and powerful become more rich and powerful, and further nationalized a sport with regional roots.
The four-team playoff system drew a more stark line between the Power 5 and Group of 5 conferences, and was seen as mostly for the Power 5.
A new 12-team system, designed to be more inclusive and fair, goes into effect next season.