Rapid Fire: Pete Bevacqua Comments On CFP Expansion And USC, Paul Finebaum Talks CFP

In this rapid-fire episode of Irish Breakdown, hosts Sean Steyers and Trevor Trowbridge dive into the latest developments surrounding the potential expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 24 teams. The discussion centers on Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua’s public support for expansion, citing the need to justify massive financial investments in football programs and provide more teams with hope of playoff contention. Trevor challenges this argument, emphasizing that sports are inherently about competition and winning, not participation, and warns that expanding the field could devalue the regular season and shift focus from excellence to mere qualification. The hosts also dissect Paul Finebaum’s strong opposition, arguing that expansion would dilute the importance of regular-season games and benefit networks like ESPN, which currently monopolize CFP broadcasting rights. They counter that rivalry games and seeding stakes will remain meaningful, and that player motivation and pride will prevent teams from resting starters. The conversation then turns to Notre Dame’s ongoing negotiations with USC over renewing their high-profile rivalry, with skepticism about a resolution due to USC’s focus on playoff eligibility over tradition. The episode closes with a lighthearted segment on potential international games for Notre Dame, with suggestions ranging from Seoul and Rome to Paris and Munich.