Leaked Big Ten Document Offers Insight On New Potential College Football Playoff Format

An internal Big Ten document has revealed a potential expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, significantly increasing from the current 12-team format. The proposal outlines the elimination of conference championship games, arguing these are unnecessary risks for top teams. Under the new model, 23 top programs plus one Group of Six team would compete, with no automatic qualifiers for conference winners. The top eight seeds would receive a bye, while the other 16 engage in initial rounds at campus venues, a move intended to offer home-field advantages and potentially increase revenue through additional television broadcasts. This expansion aims to provide more stability for teams and financial justification amid rising costs in college football. The document suggests transitioning to 16 teams by 2027, with a full expansion before the decade's end, aligning with new television contract negotiations.