College Football Playoff: Even Bigger Changes Coming?

College football has been a whirlwind of change lately, hasn't it? The 12-team playoff just debuted, and while opinions are mixed, it's unlikely we'll ever go back to a smaller format.

Expansion on the Horizon

But get this: further expansion seems practically inevitable! According to reports, the idea of a 16-team playoff is gaining serious traction with the big decision-makers. Imagine that!

How Would It Work?

The buzz is that this potential mega-playoff would include automatic bids for each conference. Think four SEC teams, four from the Big Ten, two apiece for the Big 12 and ACC, one for the Group of Five, and then three at-large bids up for grabs. At the rate things are moving, this could be reality after the 2026 season.

SEC Play-In Games?!

The SEC angle is particularly juicy. We're talking possible play-in games to determine those automatic bids! The top two teams might get byes, but the No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchups would decide the remaining spots.

Back to Conference Glory?

This change would put major emphasis back on those conference races, keeping the regular season super valuable. And that's definitely something the leagues want. How soon will this all happen? Who knows, but it sounds like it's time to get ready for a whole new era of college football.