Part 2/9:
With 136 schools vying for just 12 CFP spots, the disparity is stark. Notably, there are 68 Power Five schools, including Notre Dame, competing for only 11 spots in the main tournament. This leaves the remaining schools—most of which are from the Group of Five conferences—fighting for a solitary postseason berth. As a result, many smaller schools experience seasons that feel hollow, often ending with blowout losses or narrow upsets that hold little long-term significance.