There have been performances throughout the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff that should remind us all that players want to play on the biggest stages and at the biggest moments.  In an age where the prevalent theme of December and January in the sport is complaining about who isn't playing -- opt-outs of the full-game and halftime variety -- it is enlightening to dig into who is and what they have to go through to suit up.

With just one game to go to close out the 2024-25 college football season, we’ve seen enough to call it: The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff has been an undeniable success. There are minor issues that need to be addressed or tweaked,