SEC and Big Ten Push for College Football Playoff Expansion to 16 Teams

Proposed changes aim to address financial pressures but raise concerns over fairness and the sport's future structure.

The SEC and Big Ten are advocating for expanding the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 14 or 16 teams starting in 2026, with four automatic bids each for their conferences.
The proposed format would significantly increase revenue through additional games, helping universities offset the financial strain of new pay-for-play policies.
Critics argue the expansion could deepen inequalities, favoring the SEC and Big Ten while marginalizing smaller conferences like the ACC, Big 12, and Group of Five schools.
University presidents and conference leaders are also exploring changes to championship weekend structures to maximize television revenue and playoff participation.
Fans and analysts have voiced concerns that the new system could diminish the importance of the regular season and create a competitive imbalance in college football.