Forde-Yard Dash: The Myth of Making the College Football Playoff Every Season

LSU's interim athletic director Verge Ausberry stated that the university's football team should make the playoffs every year, following the recent firing of head coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Scott Woodward. This expectation highlights the intense pressure on college football programs to consistently perform at a high level. In the current 12-team playoff system, LSU is one of 16 SEC programs vying for an automatic bid, with an additional chance at one of seven at-large spots. Statistically, each SEC team has a 6.3% chance of securing an automatic bid and a 10.9% chance at an at-large bid, making annual playoff appearances an ambitious target. Historically, only Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State have consistently qualified for the playoffs, with Alabama participating in eight out of 11 playoffs. The landscape of college football is becoming more competitive, with teams like Virginia, BYU, Indiana, and Texas A&M currently leading their respective conferences. The scenario underscores the evolving nature of college