Hurray! The Expanded College Football Playoff is Here! But What If...

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

December 21, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

It was December 10, 2007. I joined dozens of other journalists on a brisk morning outside the federal courthouse in Richmond, Virginia awaiting the sentencing of Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick on dogfighting charges.  Sports writer Dan Wetzel and I had enjoyed friendly sports debates over the years and, as we struck up a conversation, we realized that we had independently put together very similar ideas for a 16-team college football playoff, not just the one-game . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

Dec 20 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4Ep19

Listen

Dec 20 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4Ep19

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys - CFP Predictions, Heisman & Belichick Thoughts, Illini BB Development & Luke Altmyer Returns for 2025

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini's 66 – 64 Loss to the Tennessee Volunteers #442

Listen

Dec 13 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4Ep18

Listen

Dec 13 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4Ep18

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Win 86-80 versus Wisconsin Badgers - #441

Listen

College Football Playoffs, Coach Collins Quote, Play Morez Johnson More & Has Drew Allar Arrived & Sturdy Stops In to Talk Illini BB & FB with CFP

Listen

Dec 6 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4Ep17

Listen

Dec 6 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4Ep17

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Lose in OT at Northwestern - #440

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Football National Signing Day - #439

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Football Legend Kurt Kittner Talks Illinois & B1G Football #438

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Ryan Day, High School Football Playoff Solutions & An AD's Response & B1G Football Team Rankings

Listen

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Ked interviews Top JUCO Linebacker & Illini Commit Ismael Kante 

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2021 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.