Matt Rhule continues to be one of college football's most outspoken coaches, particularly in the Big Ten.
Similarly to his in-conference counterpart, Bret Bielema, Rhule has finally given his stance as to where the College Football Playoff is headed and why possible expansion is the furthest thing from a burden.
Even if it means increasing to as many as 40 teams, which On3 recently laid out using this year's ESPN FPI.
Rhule spoke to Husker Online about why it makes sense to just give as many teams as possible the best chance to win a title every season.
"The more spots the better, man," Rhule said. "Make that thing 40 and let’s go."
Rhule didn't end there, citing how competitive the Big Ten each year. By adding more teams, he said, only makes the league that much stronger.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“I think the more spots, I think if they do go to where it’s guaranteed, hey, you get four at-large bids if you can play your way into those things, you just think about playing meaningful games in Memorial Stadium in November, December and January, where the weather starts to be a real factor,” Rhule said. “We play UCLA every year, the first thing I do is say where is it? When is it? I want it to be as cold as possible. Now they’re smart, (UCLA and USC), they play each other at the end of the year so they’re kind of protected from some cold-weather games."
Rhule said this slight adjustment will eliminate any massive controversies moving forward, which would make every game even more significant than the one the week beforehand.
"You look at two years ago we were 5-7 and you think about the years with Scott (Frost) where he was 5-7, now you add in one more Group of Five team, you take out one more Big Ten, actually now you’re 6-6,” Rhule said. “This year you’re 6-6, now you’re 7-5. You’re just adding another win in.”
Either way, Rhule just wants a level playing field so it's less selective.
"So the more spots, the better,” Rhule said. "We’re playing in a really, really tough league. We’re playing really, really good teams. And you know what? If you play in this league, you deserve a chance to get to the postseason and see what you can do.”
Rhule's team got to the postseason this past year, albeit a bowl game. A playoff berth may come down the line, but at the very least, he's already thinking ahead, strategically to where his team may end up in the next few years.
If anything, he may be deserves at least a little bit of credit for how the game could change forever moving forward. But all of that remains to be seen.