Keith Gaddie, Hoffman Chair of the American Ideal, professor of political science in the AddRan College of Liberal Arts at TCU, and author of Bragging Rites: College Football’s Disputed Titles, recently commented on the state of the sport in 2025.
His comments offered insight into why the Alabama Crimson Tide were chosen over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the BYU Cougars, who each had two losses to Bama's three, for the College Football Playoff's 12-team 2025/2026 field.
"The biggest insight is that there is always a brand-tradition bias (‘pointing to your logo’) which inherently favors blue bloods, legacy blue bloods and recent dominant programs.