College Football Playoff (and bowl) winners/losers: Big Ten thrives, Saban disciples survive while Big 12 struggles and expansion looms

The sample size is expanding. In a few weeks, the College Football Playoff might do the same.

Through two seasons of the 12-team format, teams receiving an opening-round bye are 1-7 in the quarterfinals, with Indiana (over Alabama) as the lone victor following a three-and-a-half week break.

Billed as a reward for conference winners in 2024 and then, after a format tweak, for the highest-ranked teams in 2025, the bye is clearly a competitive disadvantage that must be eliminated. The long layoff leaves teams sluggish and rusty...