Since its inception in the 2014 season, the College Football Playoff has undergone numerous modifications.
The playoff system for choosing a champion in one of the most popular collegiate sports is constantly being modified, going from four teams to the first 12-team configuration last season.
Those adjustments might turn into complete makeovers and alter the sport as we know it if the Big Ten has its way.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Big Ten league is considering implementing a playoff system with 24 or 28 teams.
The conference championship game will no longer exist under this concept, which adds 12–16 more teams to the FBS playoff structure. The bid structure for a 28-team scenario looks like this:
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SEC and Big Ten each get seven automatic-bids.
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The ACC and Big 12 receive five bids each.
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Two bids for the non-Power Four conference teams.
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Two bids to two at-large teams.
The FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) playoff structure will have the same number of teams as the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) playoff format if the Big Ten’s new proposal does materialize but ends at 24 teams.
Up to 20 games will be played on campus under the new structure, with further rounds leading to the bowl games.
The SEC and Big Ten have been discussing potential playoff structures for some time now, and this is just the most recent exchange. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated during SEC Media Days in July that the Big Ten and his league might not be in agreement since each wants to act in the league’s best interests.
At SEC Media Days, Sankey stated that the Big Ten holds a different opinion. It’s okay. We have five conference champions and a 12-team playoff. If we can’t agree, that can remain.
It is now a given that the playoffs and its future expansion plans will once again take a backseat to a college football season, with just one week until the 2025 season officially begins.
