SEC, Big Ten seek expansion of College Football Playoff to 14 or 16 teams

Discussions surrounding the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP) are gaining momentum, particularly among leaders of the SEC and Big Ten, who are considering expanding the playoff to 14 or 16 teams. The proposed model could assign multiple automatic qualifiers per league, potentially granting as many as four spots each to the SEC and Big Ten. This expansion is seen as a way to enhance TV revenue and restructure conference scheduling, with meetings being held among various conference administrators to finalize details. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer expressed his focus on preparing his team to qualify for the playoffs, regardless of the number of teams, following a disappointing 9-4 season. Meanwhile, some administrators from the Big 12 and ACC are hesitant about a format that favors the SEC and Big Ten, indicating potential pushback from Group of Five leaders as discussions progress. The new format could be implemented as early as 2026, further reshaping the landscape of college football playoffs.