Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has been vocal about his views on the future shape of the College Football Playoff, insisting that the current 12‑team format falls short of what he believes the tournament should be.
The Case for a Smaller Playoff
He argues that the expansion has stripped away the special status of earning a spot among the sport’s elite, making the achievement feel ordinary rather than exclusive.
Sarkisian acknowledges the growing clamor from fan bases and the undeniable pull of broadcast revenue that is driving conferences toward a larger field, but he remains skeptical that more teams equate to a better competition.
While he respects the opinions of key conference leaders such as Greg Sankey of the SEC and Tony Petitti of the Big Ten, his focus stays on guiding his own squad through the rigors of the present season.
Conference Perspectives
The broader debate includes proposals from the American Football Coaches Association, which envisions a 24‑team playoff, and the SEC’s own commissioner, Greg Sankey, who has floated a 16‑team ceiling.
Tony Petitti, the Big Ten commissioner, has publicly backed the AFCA’s ambitious expansion, whereas Sankey’s preference for a capped 16‑team format reflects a more conservative approach.
Sarkisian shares that skepticism, warning that jumping from twelve to twenty‑four teams could further dilute the playoff’s competitive edge and make the selection process even more convoluted.
He notes that the existing 12‑team structure already guarantees places for non‑Power Four programs and the independent Notre Dame, yet he believes a sixteen‑team model would strike a more balanced compromise.
Regardless of the final decision, Sarkisian says he will adapt to whatever format the CFP adopts, but his immediate priority is to position the Longhorns for another playoff run, aiming for a third appearance in four years and a second under the current twelve‑team system.