A proposed 16-team College Football Playoff has gained traction, but the Big Ten and SEC are hesitant to expand their participation. The format would grant conference champions automatic bids, while the top teams in each conference’s standings would receive at-large invitations. However, some critics argue that this model creates an uneven playing field, favoring powerhouses like the Big Ten and SEC over smaller schools.
The new format is expected to debut this fall, with tweaks made to last year’s 12-team format. Conference champions will still earn a spot in the tournament, but only if they rank within the top 12. The rest of the bracket will be filled by at-large teams. Despite initial reservations, the expanded playoff seems to be gaining momentum.
However, the Big Ten and SEC are already discussing potential changes for the 2026 format. A proposal involving a 4-4-2-2-1 model has been floated, with these conferences receiving four bids each. This plan would give them twice as many invites as the Big 12 and ACC, sparking concerns about fairness.
Another proposed format involves a 4-4-3-3-1 setup, where the Big 12 and ACC would get three teams each. However, this model includes a stipulation that only top-ranked schools from these conferences can receive bids. This raises questions about how fairness will be maintained in the expanded playoff system.
Critics argue that the expansion creates an uneven playing field, favoring larger conferences over smaller ones. The increased number of games played by teams competing for national titles is also a concern. Athletes are paid to compete, but playing more games could lead to burnout and injuries.
Ultimately, the success of the expanded playoff will depend on the ability of the NCAA and the management committee to police and enforce its rules. As one critic notes, even presidential commissions may not be enough to fix the issues plaguing college sports.
Source: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/smu-mustangs/2025/05/23/college-football-cfp-committee-playoff-format-seeding-changes-texas-texasam-longhorns-aggies-oklahoma-sooners-big-ten-sec-money