ESPN's Laura Rutledge breaks down new College Football Playoff bracket in 1-on-1

ESPN's Laura Rutledge breaks down new College Football Playoff bracket in 1-on-1

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- College Football announced this week starting in 2027, there will be a 24-team playoff bracket.

ESPN's Laura Rutledge sat down with ABC57's Hayley Gregoire to break down the changes and implications of this decision. Many fans have expressed frustration on the new bracket, most notably due to the fact all power four championship games would be eliminated.

"That's the biggest factor in all of this that really is disappointing," Rutledge said.

"As somebody who's had the great pleasure of covering some of these conference championship games, they a lot of times are like defacto playoff games. I think that part is tough for fans."

Rutledge said this decision will have a ripple effect and proposes that we'll see more changes in the near future. She thinks there will be more regulation for player rights, and says the NFL will likely be concerned about this, as they're worried players are going to be worn down by the end of the season.

Rutledge also said an expanded playoff bracket chips away at program accountability.

"It gives an out to a lot of these universities on accountability becau...