College football just keeps changing, doesn’t it? Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about expanding the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 24 teams.
Brett Yormark, the Big 12 Commissioner, has come out swinging in favor of this idea. He’s got a few reasons—some practical, some financial.
The Case for a 24-Team College Football Playoff
During a chat with On3, Yormark laid out his thoughts on why the playoff should get bigger. He’s focused on two things: giving more teams a shot and easing up on those wild roster costs.
Increased Access for Teams
Yormark thinks the 12-team setup leaves too many teams out in the cold. A 24-team playoff? That’d mean more programs get their moment in the spotlight.
He’s especially thinking about conferences like the Big 12, which sometimes get snubbed. More spots would mean fewer deserving teams sitting at home come playoff time.
Alleviating Roster Costs
There’s also the money side—something that’s gotten trickier with all the new NIL deals. Building a powerhouse roster isn’t cheap, and Yormark says a bigger playoff would take some of the heat off.
If you only need to make the top 25 instead of the top 12, that’s a much more reachable goal for a lot of schools. Less pressure, maybe a little less spending frenzy.
Broader Support for Expansion
Yormark’s not the only one talking about this. Folks from the Big Ten, ACC, and even Notre Dame’s AD Pete Bevacqua have nodded along.
The American Football Coaches Association is on board, too. The tide seems to be turning in favor of shaking things up.
The SEC’s Position
But not everyone’s sold. The SEC, for one, is holding back.
Commissioner Greg Sankey says they need to “do the homework” before jumping in. You can’t really ignore the SEC’s clout in all this.
Even with other conferences warming up to the idea, the SEC’s approval could make or break any real change.
Implications for College Football
So, what would a 24-team playoff actually mean for the sport? There’s a lot to consider—competition, money, and what it feels like for fans.
Competitive Balance
One big plus: more teams get a shot, which could shake up the usual suspects. You’d see some fresh faces, maybe even some upsets.
Honestly, who doesn’t love a good underdog story?
Financial Health
Yormark keeps coming back to the money. If schools don’t have to break the bank just to make the top 12, maybe things get a little more balanced.
It might even help teams manage their budgets better, especially now that NIL is changing the game.
Fan Experience
From a fan’s angle, more games just sounds fun. More teams, more drama, more reasons to tune in.
The playoff field would get a lot more interesting—and honestly, isn’t that what we all want?
Conclusion
The talk about expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams is picking up steam. Brett Yormark and a handful of others are really pushing for it.
Of course, there are still some big obstacles, especially with the SEC not exactly on board just yet. But if you look at the upside—a wider path for teams, fewer headaches over roster costs, and maybe a fairer playing field—it’s easy to see why people are intrigued.
Honestly, it’s hard not to wonder how all the different stakeholders will handle this. There’s a lot at stake, and nobody seems ready to blink first.
If you want to dig deeper or just keep up with the latest, check out On3.
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