College Football Playoff expansion stalemate remains as deadline looms

The College Football Playoff (CFP) management committee's recent meeting in Miami concluded with differing preferences for the future playoff format. The SEC supports maintaining a 12-team format, while the Big Ten advocates for expanding to 24 teams. Most conferences, along with Notre Dame, prefer a 16-team model. Despite ongoing discussions, it is anticipated that the 12-team format will remain in place for the 2026 season unless an agreement is reached by the upcoming deadline on January 23.

Big Ten sources indicated a willingness to accept a 16-team format in 2026 if there is a commitment to eventually expand to 24 teams. CFP director Rich Clark stated that ESPN, the CFP's broadcast partner through 2032, will not extend the current deadline further. If no agreement is reached by January 23, the next opportunity for expansion consideration will be December 1, 2026.

The meeting at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel concluded without a formal agreement, and Big Ten