CFP 1.0 changed college football, not all for better, and was necessary step in postseason evolution

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The four-team playoff changed college football. Not just the postseason and crowning of a national champion that finally could be called undisputed.

College Football Playoff 1.0, which wraps up a 10-year run Monday night when No. 1 Michigan (14-0) faces No. 2 Washington (14-0) in the national championship game, created a new standard for success — and failure — for teams and conferences. It helped the rich and powerful become more rich and powerful, further nationalized a sport with regional roots and was an imperfect but necessary step in the evolution of the postseason.

“I think what’s coming is going to be better, but this worked really well," said Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick, one of the architects of the 12-team system that goes into effect next season.

But not without unintended consequences.