Big Ten Renews Push for 24-Team CFP by 2027 as SEC Still Backs 16
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 28
Big Ten Renews Push for 24-Team CFP by 2027 as SEC Still Backs 16
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 28
Summary
Tony Petitti said the Big Ten is still committed to a 24-team College Football Playoff starting in 2027, including unwinding its Fox title-game contract if that means dropping the conference championship.
A 2027 expansion still hinges on agreement between the Big Ten and SEC, which hold most of the format power; the SEC remains inclined toward a 16-team field pending more financial and structural details.
August and September meetings could sharpen the decision, though sources are skeptical a final call will come in August and Petitti said leaders have roughly 30 days before the season to make progress.
Revenue is the central unresolved question: Petitti said a 24-team bracket must generate enough money to offset lucrative Power 4 championship games.
Petitti argued a 24-team model would preserve regular-season stakes by keeping teams ranked 16-24 in contention, rewarding top-8 byes and home games, and making seeding matter through the final week.