The ongoing deadlock over the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) remains a pressing issue as the deadline approaches.
MIAMI, Fla. — Recent discussions held by the College Football Playoff management committee this past Sunday have revealed some intriguing preferences among the major conferences. According to sources within On3, it appears that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is leaning towards maintaining the existing 12-team playoff structure, rather than pushing for an increase to 24 teams. In contrast, the Big Ten Conference is advocating for a model that accommodates 24 teams, while the SEC, along with eight other conferences and Notre Dame, is proposing a compromise at 16 teams.
Unless a groundbreaking decision is made, the current expectation is that the 12-team format will continue through the 2026 season. The clock is ticking, with a crucial deadline set for Friday, January 23, for any potential expansion. Earlier this week, a source from the Big Ten shared with On3’s Brett McMurphy that they would be open to the idea of a 16-team setup in 2026, provided there is a commitment to eventually expand to 24 teams in the subsequent years.
"We likely can reach an agreement if there is a formalized contract in place," the source mentioned. "This cannot just be a verbal understanding; it needs to be a solid agreement."
Should the parties involved fail to finalize an expansion plan by this Friday, ESPN officials have indicated that they will not consider extending the deadline any further, according to CFP director Rich Clark. As the broadcast partner for the CFP until 2032, ESPN had previously allowed an extension from the original deadline of December 1 to January 23.
Clark also noted that there has been no formal meeting scheduled for the management committee this week as the deadline draws near. If no decisions are made regarding expansion, the 12-team format will remain in effect for the 2026 season, with a subsequent deadline for 2027 set for December 1, 2026.
As commissioners left the management committee meeting at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, their reactions were somewhat subdued. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti conveyed that there is still significant work to be done before reaching an agreement on the CFP's expansion. Meanwhile, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark expressed optimism about having sufficient time before the deadline, and American Athletic Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti asserted that discussions regarding the expansion of the College Football Playoff are still very much alive.
"We’re only in Year 2 of our 12-team format, so I reminded my colleagues that moving from a four-team playoff to a 12-team playoff took us five years," remarked Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State University and chair of the CFP Board. "The fact that we are engaging in these discussions is encouraging, but there are numerous factors to consider. All conference presidents are communicating through their commissioners, and negotiations are underway. We will see how this unfolds."
