ACC, Big 12 commissioners push 24-team College Football Playoff format
On3 • • sports
Key Points:
- ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark have expressed strong support for expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, citing the need to include more national championship-contending teams.
- The SEC, led by commissioner Greg Sankey, continues to favor a smaller 16-team playoff, emphasizing the importance of research and analysis to determine the optimal format and addressing concerns about revenue and game significance.
- ESPN reportedly prefers the playoff to remain between 12 and 16 teams, posing a challenge to proposals for a 24-team expansion.
- A decision on the playoff format for the 2027 season hinges on agreement between the SEC and Big Ten commissioners, with a December deadline looming; if no consensus is reached, the current 12-team format will continue.
- Various 24-team playoff proposals include automatic bids for Power 4 conferences and Group of 6 representation, or selection purely based on rankings with at least one Group of 6 team included, reflecting ongoing debate over qualification criteria.