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2d ago

Big Ten Circulates Early Plan to Expand College Football Playoff to 24 or 28 Teams

Mixed reactions from conference leaders have put focus on the September 24 meeting to decide the playoff’s fate.

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Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Big Ten Commissioner Tony Pettiti walks the sidelines prior to the Big Ten Championship between the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images/File photo
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The Columbus Dispatch

Overview

  • Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti shared a preliminary 24/28-team expansion concept in mid-August, with details leaking to national outlets on Aug. 16–17.
  • Under the 28-team model, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive seven automatic bids, the ACC and Big 12 five apiece, plus two slots for Group of Five conferences and two at-large berths.
  • The proposal would eliminate conference championship games and stage roughly 20 opening-round contests on campus, reshaping the regular-season calendar and bowl ecosystem.
  • Stakeholders offered mixed feedback, with some conference executives and broadcasters intrigued by added access while unnamed CFP officials criticized the unauthorized leak and warned of diminished regular-season stakes.
  • Conference commissioners must resolve format negotiations at a Sept. 24 meeting, with a Dec. 1 deadline to lock in any changes for future seasons.