The debate surrounding the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) is heating up as the Indiana Hoosiers prepare to face the Miami Hurricanes in the national championship game. Scheduled for Monday night, Indiana is favored to win by more than a touchdown, marking a potential third consecutive national championship for the Big Ten Conference. However, the conference’s leverage in negotiations regarding the CFP’s future format is less certain.
Tony Petitti, the commissioner of the Big Ten, advocates for a significant expansion to a 24-team playoff format. In contrast, Greg Sankey, the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), along with other conference leaders, supports an increase to a 16-team format. As discussions have progressed, a deadline looms: CFP executives must inform ESPN of any expansion plans by January 23, 2024.
The upcoming meeting in Miami, set to occur just before the championship game, will include all ten Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) commissioners and the athletic director of Notre Dame. With private discussions already taking place, the outcome remains uncertain. An industry source remarked, “It’s anyone’s guess at this point.”
Two options for playoff expansion appear to be off the table. There is a notable lack of support for a 14-team format, and any future expansion must feature at least 16 teams. Furthermore, the Big Ten’s proposal for a 24-team format cannot be implemented in time for the 2026 season due to logistical challenges, particularly regarding the existing contracts for conference championship games.
As it stands, the choices for next season are either to maintain the current format or to expand to 16 teams. An agreement reached in spring 2024 grants the SEC and Big Ten the authority to decide on the CFP’s future format, provided they consult with other conferences. This gives Petitti the power to block the more widely favored 16-team field, potentially leveraging this position to push for a future transition to a 24-team format.
This situation creates a politically sensitive scenario for the Big Ten. The conference risks being viewed as the primary obstacle to a change that many fans and schools desire. Petitti’s current approach appears more focused on practical outcomes than public perception, contrasting with Sankey’s recognition of the CFP’s role as a public trust that must be managed with care.
As the championship game approaches, the outcome of the playoff expansion discussions remains a pivotal topic, impacting not only the structure of college football but also the future direction of the sport as a whole.
