LKay on X posted "college football this year is literally march madness". I already know where this is going.
MIt's not March Madness. It's a twelve-team playoff. Indiana just won it.
LExactly — people are comparing it to March Madness because it finally has real chaos.
MOne fan on X argued if you have two losses, you can't compete. Only undefeated teams.
LThat's too harsh. A two-loss team can still be one of the four best.
MThen don't lose twice. College football's regular season is the playoff.
LThat's old thinking. Indiana just won the whole thing from outside the old power structure.
MOne run doesn't erase the opening round blowouts.
LMarch Madness has blowouts too. Doesn't mean the bracket's broken.
MIt's different. Football doesn't have the three-point equalizer. USA Today's college football columnists made that exact point.
LAnd The Spade's simulation of a hundred thousand sixty-eight-team brackets still had top football teams winning over seventy percent.
MRight! Sixty-eight is ridiculous. That would wreck the regular season.
LI'm not arguing sixty-eight. I'm arguing sixteen. Sixteen is not March Madness.
MSixteen still lets in three-loss teams that didn't earn a title shot.
LFair to who? Indiana needed the expanded field to get a shot.
MFine. Indiana is the best case for expansion. But that's a reason for twelve, not sixteen.
LSo we agree on twelve.
MI wouldn't go that far, but yes, twelve works.
MWait— no, you just got me to agree with you. Cut that out.
LToo late. Sixteen with byes for the top four is still on the table.
MSixteen with byes for the top four might be tolerable. But only if conference champions get automatic bids.
LNow you're talking. That's a real format.
MI still hate it. But I'll argue it.
LSpeaking of basketball crashing football's party, First and Sixteen, a Big 12 show on X, asked when basketball season starts for you.
MFor me it starts the day after the College Football Playoff national championship. Not a second earlier.
LSo you're a football loyalist until the final whistle.
MI'm consistent. What about you?
LSelection Sunday. The bracket is the best drug in sports.
MYou just spent ten minutes saying football is March Madness, then say hoops starts with brackets. Pick a lane.
LI contain multitudes. But today's answer: basketball starts now.
MThe season doesn't wait. Fine by me. The Pregame is built for that exact crossover.
LCollege football won't let go, and hoops is already knocking. That's the best part of this time of year.
MNow let's see if tonight's games match the argument energy.
LThey better. But first, a different world entirely.
MWhat do you have?
LDrew Pasma on X dropped his 2025 awards, and his Fight of the Year is Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua.
MThat's a take. Not sure it's a serious one.
LHe also named Lamine Yamal Athlete of the Year. That part is defensible.
MYamal is electric. But that fight pick is engagement bait.
LIt's his personal list. I'll allow it.
MYou allow a lot. We're moving on.
LFine. Let's get back to actual games.
MThat's all we ever do.
LTonight's slate better bring it, because I'm already hot.
MThe Pregame never cools down.