The TV ratings proved views were interested. Each of the four games averaged 10.6 million viewers. That’s more than the four the non-CFP New Year’s bowls after the 2023 season averaged (8.14 million), and also topped the average for this year’s four major conference championship games (10 million).

The recent combative conversations concerning the first-round of the new college football playoff format has been interesting. Many thought expanding from four to a dozen participants would quell the strife.

All four first-round games in the first 12-team Playoff were decided by double digits. It's unfortunate — but not a reason to panic.