The Big Ten is quietly laying the groundwork for a radical expansion of the College Football Playoff system, with options ranging from 24 to 28 teams, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports.
The proposal suggests eliminating conference title games and granting generous automatic bids to all four power conferences. In one 28‑team concept, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive seven guaranteed spots. The ACC and Big 12 would earn five each, with the remainder filled by at-large selections. The intent is to reward regular‑season performance while preserving league prestige.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti has pushed for a model heavy on automatic qualifiers in the past, arguing it better connects the regular season with postseason inclusion. His initial preferred setup allocated four guaranteed berths to both the Big Ten and SEC, two to the ACC and Big 12, one to the top-ranked Group of Five champion, and the rest as at-large bids.
The SEC, Big 12, and ACC tend to be leaning toward a different structure commonly referred to as the “5+11” model, where five automatic spots are awarded to top conference champions and eleven at-large selections. That remains under serious consideration, though expansion is far from finalized.
While fans can theorize about various possibilities and likelihoods all day when discussing CFP expansion, more than likely, the decision will come down to two things: money and power. Unfortunately, the self-proclaimed “Power 2” aren’t exactly in the business of preserving today’s game on an equal playing field, but the 24-28 team field does feel a bit more open-ended than usual.
More radical than most expansions, this latest proposal would fundamentally shift college football’s power dynamics. Until agreements emerge, the expanded playoff remains a blueprint with high stakes for every Power Four league.
