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LOOK: Mike Leach uses Kentucky Derby upset to make College Football Playoff criticism

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby: Jonathan Wagner05/08/22j_wags74
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Sean Gardner via Getty Images.

There was a massive underdog victory in the 2022 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with Rich Strike coming away with the victory. Rich Strike came in with 80-1 odds by post time, proving to be an incredible story after the race was won. Following Rich Strike’s victory in the Kentucky Derby, Mississippi State head football Mike Leach coach used it as a reason to plea for expansion of the College Football Playoff.

A $2 bet on Rich Strike would pay $163.60 after the victory. The favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Epicenter, came in second, with Zandon coming in third.

For Leach, seeing such a big upset on the biggest stage just reiterated the fact that more teams in college football deserve a chance to make it to the College Football Playoff.

“That horse winning the Kentucky Derby today, is good example of why an expanded college football playoff is needed,” Leach tweeted. “That horse hadn’t won all the races leading up, but it got its chance and that’s what happened.”

Leach’s desire for College Football Playoff expansion might have to wait

The College Football Playoff was introduced during the 2014-2015 season. Since then, there have been a lot of familiar faces in the playoff. Alabama has been in the playoff in seven of the eight seasons since its introduction. Ohio State won the initial College Football Playoff in 2015. Alabama also has three championship victories in the playoff era with three more appearances in the title game. Clemson also has two championships and one loss in the title game. LSU and Georgia each have one victory in the playoff era, as well.

After a lot of debate after the conclusion of last season, College Football Playoff expansion was essentially put on the backburner. It does not appear to be imminent any time soon, meaning that Leach could be waiting for a while before he gets the playoff expansion that he is looking for.

Expanding to an eight-team or 12-team playoff is what many want to see, but it hasn’t happened yet. When playoff expansion was voted against earlier this year, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey had a strong reaction.

“For all the clamor about wanting to think about student athletes, there are a 1,000 students athletes each year on eight teams who could have participated in the playoff,” Sankey said. “On the other hand, we (the SEC), didn’t need more teams.”