Mountaintop View 5-11-26. Football Playoff Expansion, New Mexico Preview, Softball Champs, March Madness, Golf Awards

TL;DR

College football and basketball are set to expand their playoff formats, driven by financial incentives. The debate continues over whether these changes are necessary or beneficial.

Key points

College football and basketball are expanding playoff formats.
Debate exists over the necessity of these expansions.
Critics argue changes are driven by greed.
Financial incentives are a major factor in the expansions.

WASHINGTIB, DC - MARCH 27: The March Madness Sweet 16/Elite 8 logo is shown on the scoreboard before the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game between the St. John's Red Storm and the Duke Blue Devils at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s Monday, and college baseball and softball are getting closer to tournament time. Also, there is always football news happening. But our coverage is still going strong. Check out our original coverage and what we can find from the World Wide Web below.

Which is worse: CFP or March Madness expansion?

The Athletic tackles this question, with both major college sports ready to increase the number of playoff spots going forward. The article states both are rooted in greed, with hypothetical riches looming for teams. College football is changing at a rapid pace, changing models before the current ones are fully evaluated. College Basketball is fixing something that wasn’t broken. You be the judge.

New Mexico 2026 Preview

College Sports Network is kicking off their preview series for all FBS teams. This one covers the Lobos, who look to build on last year’s successful season. They need to figure out the quarterback spot and also improve their depth pretty much everywhere to contend for the MW title. New Mexico’s offensive line should be one of the best in the conference and getting RB Scottre Humphrey will be healthier in 2026. Defensively, Jaxton Eck will continue to shut down the run game, and they’ll have solid pass-rushers, but they will be a bit small on the interior of the DL. CFN predicts an 8-4 season for the Lobos.

Q&A

What are the new playoff formats for college football and basketball?

Both college football and basketball are expanding their playoff formats to include more teams, although specific details on the number of additional spots are still being finalized.

Why is there controversy over playoff expansion in college sports?

The controversy stems from concerns that the expansions are motivated by greed rather than the integrity of the sports, with critics arguing that college basketball's changes address issues that weren't problematic.

When will the new playoff formats be implemented for college sports?

The new playoff formats for college football and basketball are expected to be implemented in the upcoming seasons, with specific dates yet to be announced.

How will the playoff expansions affect college teams financially?

The expansions are anticipated to bring significant financial benefits to participating teams through increased revenue from games and sponsorships.