Solving The Eck-Quation: Is The Lobo Coach’s G6 Play-In Idea Worth Looking Into?

Everyone has their takes on college football nowadays, especially when it comes to social media.

Fan pages, media personalities and…head coaches?

While not every CFB coach dives into the “Twitter-sphere”, some make the most of the platform, such as New Mexico HC Jason Eck.

When the news of a potential 24-team playoff hit the internet, the second-year Lobo coach went to his keyboard.

“Play 3 play-in games involving the champions of the Group of 6 leagues the weekend of Army-Navy,” Eck wrote. “Allow (the) winner of Army-Navy to jump (the) lowest-ranked winner if their resume is better.”

Now, is Eck’s post just to stir the pot, or is his concept worth taking a look at?

Here is how the Eck-quation would look:

The 2025 Model

The best way to put this idea into action is to take a look at what matchups would’ve taken place last season. This play-in model is seeded based on overall record.

Game One: Washington State at James Madison

Game Two: Boise State at Tulane

Game Three: Kennesaw State at Western Michigan

(Navy and Army Included As Well)

Now, perhaps the overall record won’t be the approach taken in this scenario.

If they want to take a page out of the PAC-12 playbook, a committee of sorts could make the best matchups for the G6 play-ins with resume-boosting in consideration.

But with 24 teams, allowing the play-in games to be straight-up “win and in” might be the best way to go, such as the First Four of March Madness or the new play-in games in the NBA Playoffs.

Taking Away From America’s Game

In recent years of shifting schedules and realignment chaos, there’s been one statement that has been virtually agreed upon by everyone in the college football space: don’t mess with Army-Navy.

That being said, this could benefit both programs and even elevate the rivalry game itself. Imagine Army-Navy on a cold December night, with playoff implications involved?

America’s Game should stand alone as the only game going on during this hypothetical play-in weekend.

Put one game on Friday night, one early Saturday, Army-Navy at its typical mid-afternoon slot, and then a primetime game.

If they stuff Army-Navy in the slate with other games going on, then forget it. Besides, rivalry and tradition are dying in college sports. We have to at least hold on to this one.

The PAC-12/Mountain West Prospective

From budding heads to perhaps being partners?

Ever since the new PAC hit the ground running, it quickly felt like a competition between the two conferences. Which conference is stronger? Which conference is better suited for the future? And of course, which conference will punch a CFP bid?

With G6 play-in, a lot of that goes out the window, and it even provides the conferences the chance to hash out their issues on the gridiron.

Imagine this year, after Army-Navy concludes, New Mexico and Boise State run out onto the blue turf in Idaho for a PAC-12-MW play-in game.

You may be onto something, Coach Eck…

Your Turn: What do you think of this hypothetical G6 plan for a 24-team playoff?