To me the 16 vs 32 comes down to the haves vs. the have nots. If you are a school that year in and out makes the playoffs you want 16, because you already have an established program. If you are a struggling program you want 32. Why? Because a playoff qualification means something, even if you are going to probably lose in the first round it means something, you can print shirts you get a banner, and it builds excitement. So many schools are struggling to get kids out for football for various reasons, injuries, it's a hard sports, but also that so many don't see the point if they are going to see the reward. I am not a participation trophy type of guy, but I also know that if I could have had one more game my senior year I would have taken it no questions asked, and I can confidently say that my team would of had a chance to pull an upset depending on the match up. I think that is what having more teams does, brings some excitement to football and gives a chance at another game.
Another option I wonder about is if a Minnesota or Missouri model would work well in Iowa.
- At the beginning of each season all schools are put into a class and a district (these can change every year)
-Play an 8 game regular season schedule of any teams that you would like to, you can play the teams in your district but you don't necessarily have to.
-At the end of the regular season the teams in each district are giving a seed within their district, some teams get a bye.
-The 8 district champs per state make the "state playoffs"
Essentially it is the way that we do it for every other sport, being a district champ is a big deal, everyone gets 9 games, and the teams who are going to make the deep runs should have more rest.
Just an idea.