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College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark spoke today at the Sports Business Journal Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. Clark discussed the expanded CFP format and hinted that a further expansion is possible.
“The commissioners will look at is 14 a better number (starting in 2026) after they see results of this playoff,” Clark explained. “How can we make it better? 14 (teams) is one of the options, staying at 12 is one of the options.”
This season is the first in which 12 teams were selected for the Playoffs. Going from 4 teams to 12 seemed like a surefire way to make everybody happy, but naturally, there has still been some drama. Alabama’s exclusion in favor of SMU, for example, caused an uproar amongst some fans and media members.
This 12-team format is guaranteed to remain in place next season but all bets are off entering 2026. As Clark said, the committee will indeed consider adding 2 more teams at that time. If this Playoff does well with solid ratings and entertaining games, though, the committee will consider keeping 12 teams.
The CFP was created to replace the Bowl Championship Series in 2014. From that season until 2023, 4 teams were selected for the Playoff. Last year’s CFP generated significant controversy when a 13-0 Florida State team was left out in favor of Alabama. Now, we’re finding out that the 12-team Playoff is not a cure-all like some thought it would be.
The first CFP game of the 2024 season will kick off from South Bend on Friday, Dec. 20 as Notre Dame takes on Indiana.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
