In a recent chat with On3’s Pete Nakos, Illinois coach Bret Bielema didn’t hold back his support for a bigger College Football Playoff (CFP). He also shared some thoughts on 104.3 The Score in Chicago, where he talked about the perks of a 24-team playoff model.
This idea’s picking up steam, especially with three of the Power Four conferences, including the Big Ten, backing it. Sure, some folks worry that a bigger playoff might make the regular season less meaningful, but Bielema sees it the other way—he thinks it’d actually make those last few weeks way more competitive and, honestly, just more fun to watch.
The Case for a 24-Team College Football Playoff
Bielema’s main pitch for a 24-team CFP is that it would crank up the stakes for late-season games. More teams in the hunt means more teams fighting tooth and nail for a playoff spot.
That, in turn, would mean teams have a real reason to keep pushing hard all the way to the end. Nobody’s coasting or resting starters if there’s still a shot at something bigger.
Home Games as a Motivating Factor
One thing Bielema keeps coming back to is home-field advantage. He points out that in the current 12-team bracket, home teams have a pretty clear edge—6-2 in the first round over 2024 and 2025, if you’re counting.
If you bump it up to 24 teams, suddenly there are even more chances to snag a home game. That’s a big motivator for teams to keep their best players on the field and chase a higher ranking, week after week.
*If more of those opportunities are available,* Bielema said, *the late-season games will still be important.*
Enhancing the Final Weeks of the Season
People worry that a bigger playoff would make regular-season games feel pointless. Bielema disagrees—he thinks it’d actually make the last stretch of the season matter even more.
Teams aiming for one of those 24 spots would have to keep up the intensity, especially in the final six games. That means less resting, more urgency, and higher stakes every week.
Increased Competition and Excitement
Bielema imagines a playoff model that brings more drama to the end of the season. Games like Illinois-Northwestern could suddenly become make-or-break for both teams.
That kind of pressure? It’s good for fans and players. The regular season gets a lot more interesting when the playoff door’s open wider.
*When we play Northwestern at the end of the year – whether we’re in it, they’re in it or whoever’s in it – those games matter.*
Support from Major Conferences and Organizations
The 24-team playoff isn’t just Bielema’s pet project. The Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC are all on board, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), where Bielema’s on the board, likes the idea too.
That’s a pretty wide base of support. It feels like momentum’s building for something bigger, though there’s still plenty of debate.
Opposition from the SEC
Of course, not everyone’s sold. Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner, has pushed back on the idea during the conference’s spring meetings.
The SEC and Big Ten have a lot of sway when it comes to the CFP’s future, so their back-and-forth adds a twist to the whole thing.
*The SEC and Big Ten have the bulk of the control over the CFP’s future, which adds another layer to their differing viewpoints on expansion.*
The Current State of College Football
Bielema, for his part, seems pretty upbeat about where college football is right now. He points to strong TV ratings and more parity in the sport as signs that things are actually going great.
He calls this era of college football *at an unprecedented high*—and honestly, it’s hard to argue with the excitement around the game these days.
Embracing the New Era
Bielema’s optimism is kind of refreshing. No matter what happens with the playoff format, college football’s still drawing big crowds and keeping people talking.
*It’s really fun. Everybody wants to find a reason to poo-poo it. I’m telling you, it’s at an unbelievable presence and awareness. It’s unbelievable.*
Conclusion
The idea to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams has really stirred up some strong opinions. It’s not just a background conversation anymore—people are talking, debating, and sometimes even arguing about what it could mean for the sport.
Critics have voiced concerns about how this might affect the regular season. Still, Bret Bielema and a few other supporters seem convinced it could bring more excitement and maybe even raise the stakes in those final weeks.
Major conferences and organizations appear to be on board, which gives the proposal some real momentum. But let’s be honest—there’s still resistance, especially from folks like Greg Sankey, and that’s not something to brush off.
College football is already buzzing with energy, and fans are soaking up every minute. If you’re curious and want to dig deeper, you can check out the full article on On3.
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