The Big Ten is exploring a proposal for a massive expansion of the College Football Playoff to as many as 24 or 28 teams, according to sources.
While the concept is in its preliminary stages, it would fundamentally reshape the postseason by eliminating conference championship games and awarding numerous automatic bids to the four major conferences. Under a proposed 28-team model, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive seven automatic bids, while the ACC and Big 12 would get five apiece. The format would also allocate two automatic bids for conferences outside the Power Four and include two at-large selections.
This expanded structure would feature 20 on-campus playoff games, building on the success of hosting early rounds at university stadiums. The CFP committee would retain its role in seeding the field and choosing the at-large teams.
Sources confirmed that Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti presented the idea to the conference on Wednesday and that it has begun to circulate among other college football leaders. The proposal emerges as discussions are already underway to expand the playoff from 12 to 16 teams, a move complicated by disagreements over the balance between automatic qualifiers and at-large bids. The 2025 season will mark the second year of the current 12-team system.
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