80 Schools Would Have Made 24-Team CFP Since 2014 as Expansion Gains Backing
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 21
80 Schools Would Have Made 24-Team CFP Since 2014 as Expansion Gains Backing
6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 21
Eighty different schools would have qualified for a 24-team College Football Playoff over the past 12 seasons, validating Big Ten deputy commissioner Kerry Kenny’s claim and underscoring how much broader the field would become.
Ohio State and Alabama would have made all 12 brackets, Clemson 11, and Georgia and Notre Dame 10, showing the biggest powers would still dominate access even as entry became far easier.
Utah would have gained the most among notable playoff misses with 8 bids, while USC would have had 7, Iowa and Oklahoma State 6 each, and NC State 5 despite never reaching the actual CFP.
The SEC’s depth stands out: every current SEC program would have made the field at least once since 2014, while Nebraska is the most prominent Big Ten program that still would not have cracked the top 24.
Momentum for expansion is building, with every power conference except the SEC publicly backing 24 teams; if adopted, the CFP field would be 500% larger in 2027 than it was in 2023.
With fans opposed, who truly benefits from a 24-team college football playoff?
Will a 24-team playoff make college football’s iconic regular season meaningless?
Is expanding the playoff more about billion-dollar media deals than player well-being?
The Push for a 24-Team College Football Playoff: Financial, Structural, and Cultural Impacts Ahead of the 2026 Decision
Overview
Momentum for expanding the College Football Playoff (CFP) to a 24-team format has accelerated, with major conferences like the ACC, Big 12, and Notre Dame joining the Big Ten in support. However, the SEC has historically resisted a larger playoff, making the final decision uncertain. The future of the CFP depends on whether the SEC and Big Ten can agree, as their influence is crucial. A decision is expected by December 2026, and the outcome will shape the landscape of college football for years to come.