I meant to say "to" a month, not by a month, because it would be four rounds instead of four and a half. Sorry for the typo, I corrected it.
Two reasons I think that football is different than basketball are 1) There are only about 1/3 as many teams, and 2) with 22 guys playing, you're unlikely to see the upsets that happen in basketball when one or two of the five guys on the court get hot.
I don't disagree with you. Like I said, I wouldn't be mad about 24 teams. I just think that the champion is likely going to be in the top 16 most years. If we're making the argument that more is better, then why not go to 32? It wouldn't take any longer than 24.