Missouri’s head coach Eli Drinkwitz stepped onto the stage in Tampa, Florida, United States, to outline a vision that could reshape the College Football Playoff. He argued that the current 12‑team format limits opportunities and that a 24‑ or 30‑team bracket, seeded by conference play‑in results, would give more programs a realistic path to the national stage.
A proposal built on automatic bids
Under his plan, each conference would earn a set number of automatic bids determined by how its teams perform in designated play‑in games. Those slots would guarantee participation regardless of overall record, preserving the importance of conference championships while adding a layer of excitement to the regular season.
The SEC’s resistance
Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner, has publicly dismissed the idea of a play‑in layer, saying the league prefers a 16‑team model that keeps the traditional championship weekend intact. He warned that adding extra games could dilute the regular season’s stakes and create scheduling chaos.
Tony Petitti, a veteran analyst who covers college football for a major network, pointed out that Drinkwitz’s proposal has already sparked a conversation among athletic directors, many of whom see a larger tournament as a way to reward consistent performance across the Power Four conferences.
What comes next
The debate is expected to intensify as the NCAA’s playoff advisory committee meets later this year. While the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 have voiced tentative support for exploring expansion, the final decision will hinge on balancing tradition with the desire for a more inclusive postseason.
For now, Eli Drinkwitz’s blueprint remains a provocative suggestion that challenges the status quo, and its ultimate fate will be decided by the very conferences that currently hold the most sway.