Overview
- Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said Tuesday his league is locked on a 24-team College Football Playoff and would wait rather than accept 16, so 2026 stays at 12 with a Dec. 1 deadline for any 2027 change.
- SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said conference research points to 16 teams, yet many SEC coaches and athletic directors now see 24 as the target, with the topic set for deeper debate at next week’s league meetings.
- Any change requires both the Big Ten and SEC to agree under a 2024 memorandum, which gives the SEC de facto veto power over further expansion.
- A 24-team model under discussion would likely scrap conference championship games and move the season start into Week 0 to fit extra rounds, with the top eight seeds getting byes and first-round games played on campus.
- Media and money are central as consultants value 12 added playoff games to offset $200–250 million lost from dropping title games, and any inventory beyond ESPN’s current rights could draw new bidders.