Penn State head coach James Franklin voiced his opinion on the current state of college football, particularly regarding conference affiliation and scheduling, ahead of his team's Orange Bowl clash with Notre Dame. Franklin believes the expansion of the College Football Playoff necessitates a standardized approach, advocating for all teams to be part of a conference and play the same number of conference games.

Speaking alongside Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, Franklin emphasized the need for consistency. "It's not a criticism of Notre Dame," Franklin clarified, according to ESPN, "but for a fair playing field, everyone should either be in a conference and participate in a conference championship, or no one should. And the number of conference games should be uniform."

Franklin's comments stem from the disparity in scheduling leading up to the playoffs. Penn State, having lost to Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, played one more game than Notre Dame, who secured an at-large playoff berth. This difference, Franklin argues, complicates the selection committee's task.

Notre Dame's independent status, a long-standing tradition, adds another layer of complexity. While other Fighting Irish sports compete in the ACC, the football program maintains its independence with a scheduling agreement with the conference. This unique situation allows Notre Dame to rest during conference championship weekend, a benefit other playoff contenders don't have.

Further discrepancies exist within conference structures, with the SEC playing eight conference games compared to the Big Ten's nine. Franklin, drawing from his experience coaching in the SEC, favors the eight-game model. "The math isn't in your favor when you play an extra conference game," he remarked.

The ongoing debate about the CFP selection process, particularly the omission of teams like Alabama in the expanded format's inaugural year, underscores Franklin's concerns. He believes the lack of a standardized schedule hinders the committee's ability to make equitable comparisons.

"It's challenging for the committee to make these impactful decisions when they can't compare apples to apples," Franklin stated. "We need a holistic approach to create a level playing field."

Freeman, acknowledging Notre Dame's unique position, expressed his satisfaction with the current setup. "We're happy with where we are," he commented. He affirmed that Notre Dame's administration will continue to act in the program's best interest.

The Orange Bowl matchup between Penn State and Notre Dame serves as a backdrop for this ongoing discussion about the future of college football scheduling and playoff selection.