24-Team College Playoff Could Give The Independence Bowl a Boost 

A 24-team College Football Playoff could create a major opportunity for the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport. If the expanded playoff used many of the biggest bowl games for playoff rounds, a long list of strong non-playoff teams would suddenly need new bowl destinations. 

That is Where Shreveport Could Benefit

The Independence Bowl is already one of the longest-running bowl games in college football, and as it approaches its 50th year, its history, regional location, ESPN visibility, and ability to draw nearby fan bases could make it more attractive in a reshaped postseason. 

How this Could Have Worked Out in 2025 

In this best-case scenario, a 24-team playoff would take the top 24 teams in the final CFP rankings. In the final 2025 CFP rankings, that would have removed teams No. 1 Indiana through No. 24 James Madison. North Texas, ranked No. 25, would have been the highest-ranked team left outside the playoff.

READ MORE: Shreveport Voters Will get to Vote on Sports Complex

The actual 2025 Independence Bowl featured Louisiana Tech and Coastal Carolina, with Louisiana Tech winning 23-14 in a fantastic game on Dec. 30 at Independence Stadium. 

That was a solid regional win for Louisiana Tech, but an expanded playoff could create a much stronger pool of available teams for bowls like Shreveport. 

Bigger Names Could Become Available 

If major bowls such as the Texas Bowl, Gator Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Music City Bowl, Sun Bowl, and Las Vegas Bowl were used as part of the playoff structure, some of their non-playoff teams could be pushed into the remaining bowl pool. 

In 2025 that could have made teams like LSU, TCU, SMU, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Duke, Arizona State, Nebraska, North Texas, Texas State, Navy, Cincinnati, Clemson, Penn State, and others more realistic options depending on conference agreements and bowl selections. 

For Shreveport, the dream outcome would be a matchup like LSU vs. SMU or LSU vs. TCU. LSU would bring massive Louisiana interest, while SMU or TCU would add a nearby Texas fan base and strong television appeal. 

Other attractive matchups could include Tennessee vs. TCU, Missouri vs. SMU, Illinois vs. LSU, or North Texas vs. Louisiana Tech. 

Why the Independence Bowl Could Matter More 

The Independence Bowl has something many newer postseason games do not have: history. A bowl game nearing 50 years of tradition in a football-heavy region still has huge value. 

Shreveport also sits in a useful geographic pocket. It is close enough to Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and parts of Oklahoma to create strong regional matchups. That could matter even more if the expanded playoff pushes quality teams out of their usual bowl slots. 

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In the best-case scenario, the Independence Bowl could move from a lower mid-tier matchup into a stronger regional television event with recognizable brands, better travel potential, and more local energy. 

For Shreveport, a 24-team playoff may not be something to fear. It could be the opening the Independence Bowl needs to climb into a more valuable place in college football’s new postseason picture.