The GIST: And just like that, the final four-team College Football Playoff (CFP) has concluded with No. 1 Michigan’s dominant 34–13 victory over No. 2 Washington in the national championship game on Monday.
Now with 227 days until the excitement begins again, there is ample time to speculate about the future of CFP teams and NCAA football as a whole.
What lies ahead for the players: Many of them may be headed to the NFL. Michigan’s running back Blake Corum scored two touchdowns in the championship game, earning him offensive MVP honors and raising his stock for the upcoming NFL Draft in April. Despite a tough outing on Monday, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Heisman Trophy runner-up, is still expected to be a first-round pick.
What’s in store for Jim Harbaugh: Possibly a return to the NFL. Despite a cheating scandal, Michigan’s head coach led the Wolverines to their first national title since 1997. Now, there are rumors circulating that he may make a comeback to the professional league, where he previously coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014.
What’s on the horizon for NCAA football: Major changes, but not in the NFL direction. The CFP format as we know it has come to an end, as a 12-team bracket-style tournament will replace the four-team model next year.
Teams will also be joining different conferences amid conference realignment chaos. The Pac-12 will no longer exist as teams shift to the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. It’s a new era for NCAA football!
