This year in the B1G is one great example of why I don't believe conference champions should be automatic qualifiers in any CFP. Northwestern......short of a meltdown......is going to represent the west with anything from a 8-4 record to a 6-6 record. Most likely a 7-5 record. Imagine what would happen if they actually won the conference playoff game. I know that is a long shot but the way they are playing now they would probably be about a 10 point underdog on a neutral field.
How would you like to be a 12-1 Nebraska team that lost the Conference playoff game in OT and your place taken up by a Power 5 team with a 8-5 record. I'm not necessarily against expanding the team size but keep it to the most qualified and keep automatic qualifiers out. We already have that mistake in the NCAA basketball field so no reason to double down on the mistake. For the small field of teams relative to basketball you need to get it right and keep the poor record teams out.
How would you like to be a 12-1 Nebraska team that lost the Conference playoff game in OT and your place taken up by a Power 5 team with a 8-5 record. I'm not necessarily against expanding the team size but keep it to the most qualified and keep automatic qualifiers out. We already have that mistake in the NCAA basketball field so no reason to double down on the mistake. For the small field of teams relative to basketball you need to get it right and keep the poor record teams out.