Conference championship debate heats up

Three months after Alabama narrowly squeaked into the College Football Playoff despite a Southeastern Conference title game loss, athletic director Greg Byrne is calling for an end to the 34-year tradition.

The close call has intensified discussion about whether the conference championship model still serves its intended purpose in the era of the four-team playoff, as Byrne’s public stance signals growing discomfort among power-conference leaders over the risk-reward equation of a title game that can damage a contender’s résumé.