College Football Playoff Expansion: A Look at the 12-Team Format and Talks of a 14-Team Model
In the world of college football, things rarely go according to plan. Whether it’s the slow pace of decision-making or the sudden rush to make changes, the sport always keeps fans on their toes. This week, the College Football Playoff (CFP) announced the format for its expanded 12-team playoff, set to take effect in 2024 and 2025. However, even before the ink has dried on this new plan, talks have already surfaced about further expansion to a 14-team model in 2026 and beyond.
The 12-team format, which will determine the national champion for the next two seasons, offers an automatic bid to the five highest-rated conference champions. The top four champions will receive first-round byes, while the fifth spot will be reserved for the best champion from a Group of Five league. This change aims to bring more diversity and inclusivity to the playoff, giving smaller conferences a chance to compete on a national stage.
The remaining seven spots in the playoff will be filled by at-large bids, allowing non-champions and independent teams like Notre Dame to earn a place in the bracket. The first round of the playoffs will see seeds 5-8 hosting seeds 9-12 on campus in mid-December. The winners will then advance to face seeds 1-4. The subsequent rounds will be held at neutral sites, typically traditional bowl locations.
The introduction of a 12-team playoff is expected to inject new energy into college football. With more teams involved and a chance for underdogs to make a run, the excitement surrounding the sport is bound to reach new heights. However, even as fans eagerly anticipate this expanded format, discussions about further expansion have already begun.
The proposed 14-team model would grant additional automatic bids to both the Big Ten and SEC conferences, solidifying their dominance in college athletics. This move would not only provide more revenue for these conferences but also give them a recruiting advantage over their competitors. However, critics argue that this expansion is unnecessary, especially when the 12-team format has yet to be tested.
While the allure of more television money is tempting, the question remains: how much is two more first-round matchups really worth? Reports suggest that ESPN has offered $1.3 billion annually for the 11 games of the 12-team format, averaging around $118 million per contest. Adding two more games may bring in an additional $100 million each per year, but when divided among multiple teams, the financial impact may not be as significant as anticipated.
Furthermore, the inclusion of more automatic bids raises concerns about the subjectivity of the playoff selection process. By giving themselves guaranteed spots, the Big Ten and SEC could potentially eliminate any room for debate or discussion. This move could be seen as an attempt to assert their dominance and control over the playoff system.
One potential positive outcome of expanding to 14 teams would be the elimination of conference championship games. These games, often seen as unnecessary and money-driven, could be done away with, allowing the playoff to conclude earlier in January and avoid competing with the NFL postseason. However, this would require the Big Ten and SEC to forego lucrative events that generate substantial revenue.
It’s clear that the Big Ten and SEC hold significant power in shaping the future of the College Football Playoff. With SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti at the helm, decisions regarding expansion and format changes will heavily influence the direction of college football. However, it’s important to consider what is best for the sport as a whole rather than catering solely to the interests of a few conferences.
The urgency to expand before even experiencing the 12-team format stems from recent developments in college football. The formation of “The Alliance” in 2021, comprising the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12, was a response to the SEC’s expansion to 16 teams with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas. This alliance opposed any proposals supported by the SEC, including a 12-team playoff with six automatic bids. Ultimately, the Big Ten’s raid on the Pac-12 dissolved the alliance, leaving the Big Ten and SEC as the dominant forces in college athletics.
With no checks and balances in place, the Big Ten and SEC now have the freedom to shape the future of the College Football Playoff according to their own interests. However, this unilateral decision-making may not be in the best interest of the sport as a whole. It’s crucial to allow the 12-team format to play out for a year or two, gathering data and feedback before considering further expansion.
As college football fans eagerly await the implementation of the 12-team playoff, discussions about a potential 14-team model loom in the background. While expansion may offer financial benefits and solidify conference dominance, it’s important to prioritize the integrity and fairness of the playoff system. Only time will tell
