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yesterday

Big Ten Floats Expansion of College Football Playoff to 24 or 28 Teams

The early-stage proposal allocates seven automatic bids each to the Big Ten and SEC; eliminates conference title games; requires broadcaster approval by year-end.

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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 introduced the 24- and 28-team models to conference athletic directors this week before sharing them with peer commissioners for preliminary feedback.
  • Under the reported 28-team format, the Big Ten and SEC would receive seven auto bids each, while the ACC and Big 12 would get five, plus two non-Power 4 qualifiers and two at-large slots.
  • The concept would scrap all conference championship games and schedule roughly 20 opening-round matchups on campus on the current December title-game weekend.
  • Broadcasters and other Power Conference partners have raised concerns about rights approvals, season-structure changes and the impact on the bowl landscape.
  • Any changes for the 2026 playoff must secure CFP Committee backing and finalize media-rights agreements by the end of 2025.