College Football Playoff Set for 24‑Team Expansion
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- American Football Coaches Association voted to back future College Football Playoff expansion.
- SEC and Big Ten are locked in a debate over a 16‑team versus a 24‑team format, with a Dec. 1 deadline for a 2027 decision.
- College Football Playoff will keep a 12‑team field in 2026 before any expansion takes effect.
- Tulane, the top Group of Six champion at No. 20, would have earned an automatic berth under the preferred 24‑team model.
- Notre Dame would have hosted a No. 11 seed home game in a 24‑team bracket and retains a 2026 CFP guarantee if it finishes in the top‑12.
Why it matters: Power conferences gain extra marquee games and TV revenue, while Group of Six schools secure guaranteed playoff access, and the shift eliminates conference championship weekend, reshaping the postseason calendar and revenue flow.
