College Football Playoff gets an early start with conference title games

If college football fans are still hungry for a better sort of playoff, an expanded bracket that lets eight teams or more battle for the national title, Dabo Swinney has a suggestion.

Try looking at the slate of conference championship games this weekend in a slightly different way.

"There is no question about it, it's a playoff," the Clemson coach said. "Just go lose a game. You'll find out."

From North Carolina to North Texas, teams in the top half of the College Football Playoff ranking will take the field with their postseason fate on the line.

Only Notre Dame, as an independent, will sit it out, the third-ranked Irish seemingly assured a spot