The Atlantic Coast Conference has formally backed the Big Ten’s ambitious plan to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, arguing that the current 12‑team format marginalizes programs that consistently contend for championships.
Commissioner Jim Phillips said that leaving out teams such as Florida State and Notre Dame, which were excluded from the four‑team playoff in 2023, is unfair and undermines the sport’s competitive integrity.
Florida State athletic director Michael Alford echoed the sentiment, calling for more opportunities for student‑athletes and emphasizing that a broader playoff would better reflect on‑field achievement.
Conference Power Struggle
The proposal pits two power conferences against each other: the Big Ten, which envisions a 24‑team bracket with multiple automatic qualifiers, and the Southeastern Conference, which is pushing a 16‑team model centered on at‑large bids.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has stood firm on his conference’s research supporting a four‑team expansion to 16, citing the $80 million annual revenue generated by the SEC title game and the competitive balance it provides.
While ESPN has voiced a preference for keeping the playoff at 12 or possibly 14 teams, the final decision rests with the two conferences that control the CFP’s governance, meaning their negotiations will shape not only the number of spots but also the broader college football calendar.
Schedule and Revenue Implications
A recent American Football Coaches Association recommendation to eliminate conference championship games and adopt a 12‑game schedule over 14 weeks starting in 2027 adds another layer of complexity to the debate.
An NCAA committee has also suggested a revised schedule, but any changes must be finalized before the contractual deadline of December 1, 2026, which looms as the last opportunity for conferences to lock in a new structure before the next cycle begins.