Power conference commissioners met earlier this month with future playoff formats leading the discussion and “growing” support for the Big Ten and SEC’s proposal.
Under the 16-team proposal, eight auto-bids from the Big Ten and SEC exist — four from each league — along with two ACC qualifiers, two Big 12, one Group of Five and three at-large teams.
There is also discussion surrounding the Big Ten and SEC holding play-in games during conference championship weekend every year to determine the other auto-bids.
The Big Ten and SEC are also in favor of the idea of a “double-bye” for the No.
2 Georgia Former Alabama coach Nick Saban is in favor of playoff expansion, endorsing the idea of a 14 or 16-team field in 2026 and beyond.
Yahoo Sports claims that with momentum growing toward further expansion, the idea of a Big Ten and SEC takeover in the College Football Playoff may soon materialize, with a plethora of automatic bids for each conference.
After the 2025 season, the 12-team format’s contract, along with its recently adopted “straight-seeding” model, expires. Future playoff formats were the main topic of discussion at the Power Conference Commissioners’ meeting earlier this month, and the Big Ten and SEC’s proposal was receiving “growing” support.
According to reports, the two leagues will have a big say in how the format develops and the next round of expansion thanks to their sole voting power and financial implications. Eight Big Ten and SEC auto bids, four from each league, two ACC qualifiers, two Big 12 teams, one Group of Five team, and three at-large teams are included in the 16-team proposal.
The investigation of a nine-game conference schedule is the main topic of discussion as the SEC spring meetings get underway this week. Only by being included in future playoff brackets and expecting a larger payout from its TV partner would the SEC consent to add a ninth conference game.
In order to determine the other auto-bids, there is also debate about the Big Ten and SEC holding play-in games during conference championship weekend each year. Two of the auto-bids with the conference’s No. 1 seed would essentially be the two teams that make it to the league title game. 3 and No. Six teams are choosing one another and saying no. 4 against. No. matchup number five.
A “double-bye” for the No. 1 seed is also supported by the Big Ten and SEC. 1 and no. the bracket with two seeds. Two matches would pit the 16th seed against the 13th seed and the 15th seed against the 14th seed in the first round of the proposed 16-team bracket.
Those games’ winners would advance to the second round, where the 15–14 winner would face the No. 4 seed at home, and the 16–13 victor would play the No. There are three seeds on the road. Overall, there would be six second-round matches, with the final four games being 10-7, 11-6, 9-8, and 12-5.
A 16-team CFP with a suggested format and straight seeding in 2024.
RoundMatchupRound 1No. 16 Clemson against. No. No. 13 Miami. 15 South Carolina against… No. Ole Miss, Round 2 No. 14. 9 Boise State versus… No. 8, Indiana No. Twelve Arizona State versus. No. 5 Notre Dame No. 15/14 victor against. No. 4 Penn State No. 10 SMU against… No. 7 Tennessee No. 11 Alabama versus… No. 6. Ohio State No. winner on 16/13 versus. No. 3 If Notre Dame says no. First, Oregon and No. 2 Georgia.
In 2026 and beyond, former Alabama coach Nick Saban supports a 14- or 16-team playoff field, indicating his support for playoff expansion.
At a charity event last week, Saban stated, “I was never in favor of expanding the playoff because I thought bowl games were really important to the history and tradition of college football, but now that we have expanded the playoff, their role has diminished.”. “So, I believe it’s probably a good thing to expand the playoffs and include as many teams as possible without playing too many games for the players, which is something that has some concern. “..”.
