Breaking: 24 Team Playoff Done Deal?

Uscg1984 · 2026-10-15T14:33:26-0500

Looks like it:

Sources: College Football Playoff nearing deal for 24-team format in '27

The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel, with the new format expected to begin in 2027.

www.espn.com

I4CtheFuture · 2026-10-15T15:45:46-0500

I'm good with it. Will give us a chance once in a while.

I know there will be haters, but the way I see it, it's nothing more than a mathematical way to eliminate the current system / system of the past / in being a beauty pageant over substance. The only substance that matters - winning on the field head to head. Can't know unless you actually play the games. This'll give the little guys a chance - the upsets will be spectacular.

Gr8spur · 2026-10-15T17:36:17-0500

Probably the only way we ever get a shot. I’m in!

Harvard Gamecock · 2026-10-15T18:00:47-0500

Brace yourselves gentlemen, this is not the last major announcement that will affect CFB in the next 12 months.

Change is coming.

SouthernBelly · 2026-10-15T18:27:26-0500

One of the reasons I never wanted to see playoffs is because this was inevitable and it won’t stop at 24. Used to love bowl games and the playoffs have been one of the instruments that rendered them meaningless. But given that they have become generally meaningless, might as well expand the playoff to 24. The postseason as it used to be is gone anyway so this creates more games that will at least appear meaningful.

TheRoo · 2026-10-15T18:43:05-0500

SouthernBelly said:
One of the reasons I never wanted to see playoffs is because this was inevitable and it won’t stop at 24. Used to love bowl games and the playoffs have been one of the instruments that rendered them meaningless. But given that they have become generally meaningless, might as well expand the playoff to 24. The postseason as it used to be is gone anyway so this creates more games that will at least appear meaningful.

It will stop at 24. As a Gamecock Fan, you aren't a little excited to see this? We would have been in 2022 and 2024 and still wouldn't be out of the mix this year with a current power ranking of 28.

Why coddle the deep pocket schools? All it does it create a vacuum of weath for them over and over again with the post season exposure year in and out. That's the system which is completely unfair and it's exactly how Clemson had their mega-run. Dudes from California and beyond were jockeying to come to Cowtown for the opportinity.

18IsTheMan · 2026-10-15T19:40:31-0500

I4CtheFuture said:
I'm good with it. Will give us a chance once in a while.

I know there will be haters, but the way I see it, it's nothing more than a mathematical way to eliminate the current system / system of the past / in being a beauty pageant over substance. The only substance that matters - winning on the field head to head. Can't know unless you actually play the games. This'll give the little guys a chance - the upsets will be spectacular.

A chance to what? A first round CFP game is just a rebranded Pop Tarts Bowl.

A team that lost 3 games out of 12 in the regular season ain't winning 5 straight over top-ranked teams.

The CFP is just following the bowl game trend, just at a highly accelerated pace. Used to be making a bowl game was a major accomplishment. Now it's something pretty much everyone gets.

18IsTheMan · 2026-10-15T19:41:12-0500

It's a TV deal. Nothing more. Nothing less.

SouthernBelly · 2026-10-15T20:06:42-0500

TheRoo said:
It will stop at 24. As a Gamecock Fan, you aren't a little excited to see this? We would have been in 2022 and 2024 and still wouldn't be out of the mix this year with a current power ranking of 28.

Why coddle the deep pocket schools? All it does it create a vacuum of weath for them over and over again with the post season exposure year in and out. That's the system which is completely unfair and it's exactly how Clemson had their mega-run. Dudes from California and beyond were jockeying to come to Cowtown for the opportinity.

As a Gamecock fan sure. It would certainly be good to say “we made the playoffs”. But we all know saying that for 24 instead of 12 or less ain’t quite the same. And it will certainly expand beyond 24 once the folks running believe they can and print more money.

But as a college football fan in general not as much. Regardless of the system to determine a champ there hasn’t been much variety in who truly competes. Indiana was the first team in how long to win their first Natty?

And a 24 team group essentially creates a system where the type of schools you mention will always be in the playoff mix while a few more can claim to compete for a title. But most seasons - not all - of the top 8, maybe even less, we’re not looking at national championship contenders.

18IsTheMan · 2026-10-15T20:08:46-0500

TheRoo said:
It will stop at 24. As a Gamecock Fan, you aren't a little excited to see this? We would have been in 2022 and 2024 and still wouldn't be out of the mix this year with a current power ranking of 28.

Why coddle the deep pocket schools? All it does it create a vacuum of weath for them over and over again with the post season exposure year in and out. That's the system which is completely unfair and it's exactly how Clemson had their mega-run. Dudes from California and beyond were jockeying to come to Cowtown for the opportinity.

I don't really get why we would be excited about it. Instead of making a mid-tier bowl, it's rebranded as a CFP game.

The sad commentary is that you point a team who started 2-3 on the season with no P4 wins would still "have a shot" at the title.

TheRoo · 2026-10-15T20:13:04-0500

18IsTheMan said:
I don't really get why we would be excited about it. Instead of making a mid-tier bowl, it's rebranded as a CFP game.

The sad commentary is that you point a team who started 2-3 on the season with no P4 wins would still "have a shot" at the title.

You don't? Think about 2024 when we turn it on the 2nd half of the season and are considered the hottest team in the country.

If we get in the playoffs that year, all of the NFL guys who blew off the bowl game would be involved and the team would be excited instead of in Orlando for the Cheez-It Bowl.

No brainer.

TheRoo · 2026-10-15T20:15:17-0500

SouthernBelly said:
As a Gamecock fan sure. It would certainly be good to say “we made the playoffs”. But we all know saying that for 24 instead of 12 or less ain’t quite the same. And it will certainly expand beyond 24 once the folks running believe they can and print more money.

But as a college football fan in general not as much. Regardless of the system to determine a champ there hasn’t been much variety in who truly competes. Indiana was the first team in how long to win their first Natty?

And a 24 team group essentially creates a system where the type of schools you mention will always be in the playoff mix while a few more can claim to compete for a title. But most seasons - not all - of the top 8, maybe even less, we’re not looking at national championship contenders.

The problem you have is there's about 12 Michigans who can raise $100mil a year for a team now.

Why in the world would you want them to also get the playoff riches and increase that gap between haves and have nots?

I4CtheFuture · 2026-10-15T20:52:38-0500

18IsTheMan said:
A chance to what? A first round CFP game is just a rebranded Pop Tarts Bowl.

A team that lost 3 games out of 12 in the regular season ain't winning 5 straight over top-ranked teams.

The CFP is just following the bowl game trend, just at a highly accelerated pace. Used to be making a bowl game was a major accomplishment. Now it's something pretty much everyone gets.

Not mathematically it's not. It's absolutely not.

Math says there will be a winner that will advance and a loser that will not.

You can ask AI the odds. I did. Answer: > The mathematical odds of a 9–3 college football team winning 5 straight games against top-ranked opponents are exceptionally low, generally ranging from less than 1% to roughly 3.1%.

My point is, it's not 0%. If you're not in "rebrand" loop..... the odds are 0%. You gotta be in first. So yeah, rebrand or not, I'd rather be in the loop than out of it, because, > Math.

I4CtheFuture · 2026-10-15T20:58:54-0500

18IsTheMan said:
It's a TV deal. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Not true.

It's a mathematical invitation to play for the championship that 114 other teams will not get.

I4CtheFuture · 2026-10-15T21:00:41-0500

18IsTheMan said:
I don't really get why we would be excited about it. Instead of making a mid-tier bowl, it's rebranded as a CFP game.

The sad commentary is that you point a team who started 2-3 on the season with no P4 wins would still "have a shot" at the title.

Correct. They would have a shot. - That is where the excitement comes in. They even made a meme about it....

18IsTheMan · 2026-10-16T07:03:40-0500

TheRoo said:
You don't? Think about 2024 when we turn it on the 2nd half of the season and are considered the hottest team in the country.

If we get in the playoffs that year, all of the NFL guys who blew off the bowl game would be involved and the team would be excited instead of in Orlando for the Cheez-It Bowl.

No brainer.

What am I missing? We were still 9-3, whether we were labeled a "CFP team" or a "bowl team".

People are so deluded, thinking that taking a 9-3 bowl season, waving a magic wand, and making it a CFP season somehow makes it a better season.

It's like a college kid getting a 75 on an exam, but ending up with an A b/c the prof graded on a massive curve, then going around bragging about being an A student, though he only has a C mastery of the material.

We want to do windmill dunks on a 8-foot rim.

18IsTheMan · 2026-10-16T07:16:32-0500

I4CtheFuture said:
Not true.

It's a mathematical invitation to play for the championship that 114 other teams will not get.

Uhhh, ESPN was the architect of the 24-team CFP.

I4CtheFuture · 2026-10-16T07:42:37-0500

18IsTheMan said:
What am I missing? We were still 9-3, whether we were labeled a "CFP team" or a "bowl team".

People are so deluded, thinking that taking a 9-3 bowl season, waving a magic wand, and making it a CFP season somehow makes it a better season.

It's like a college kid getting a 75 on an exam, but ending up with an A b/c the prof graded on a massive curve, then going around bragging about being an A student, though he only has a C mastery of the material.

We want to do windmill dunks on a 8-foot rim.

You're right.

It's better to be ranked #25 and left out.

I don't know what I was thinking.

SouthernBelly · 2026-10-16T08:16:32-0500

TheRoo said:
The problem you have is there's about 12 Michigans who can raise $100mil a year for a team now.

Why in the world would you want them to also get the playoff riches and increase that gap between haves and have nots?

Yeah, so what I am saying is those 12 Michigans will generally now have a much easier path to the playoffs by expanding them. Expanding the playoffs allows for more teams to claim a playoff appearance, but in function not much will change because the "Michigans" are still the "haves". So unless others can figure out how to replicate what Indiana has done, very little really changes with who is actually going to play for national championships. More teams can claim to play for one by the simple virtue of being one of those 24 teams, but it really won't go beyond much more than a claim. Maybe it sounds better for recruiting, idk.

Alabama is the definition by example. Playoff movement really seemed to get going after their field goal fest win over LSU in a BCS title game. From the fan perspective its: "we gotta get other teams in here" (and this is strictly from the fan perspective not those making the TV deals). So a four team playoff was created, and out of those 10 playoffs Alabama made the playoffs 8 times, played for a national title 6 times, and one of the occasions where they missed out they were #5 in the final pre-playoff rankings. Now in the 12 team era they missed one, at number 13, returned last season and will be back this season.

92Pony · 2026-10-16T08:29:21-0500

18IsTheMan said:
What am I missing? We were still 9-3, whether we were labeled a "CFP team" or a "bowl team".

People are so deluded, thinking that taking a 9-3 bowl season, waving a magic wand, and making it a CFP season somehow makes it a better season.

It's like a college kid getting a 75 on an exam, but ending up with an A b/c the prof graded on a massive curve, then going around bragging about being an A student, though he only has a C mastery of the material.

We want to do windmill dunks on a 8-foot rim.

You finish the regular season 9-3 and go to the Mayo bowl - most of your talent opts out and your season is done with a whimper.

OR

You finish the regular season 9-3, earn a playoff spot and you have a chance. You have zero chance at a title if you're not in a playoff scenario. Now you're in. As someone else mentioned, your talent, by and large, stays and plays. Maybe you're on fire and win a game or two? Maybe not. But you had a chance. Me, personally, I wouldn't be beating my chest sliding in at the 20th, or 22nd, or 24th playoff spot, but it would be cool to be in there. I just don't understand the distaste for it.

Piscis · 2026-10-16T09:24:39-0500

Why not just have Football Season Part 2 that starts in early January and all P4 teams play in a 7 round playoff of all 64 P4 teams and 64 other FBS teams? Everyone get to play more games and make the playoff and feel great about their team!!!

24 is ridiculous, hell, 12 is too many. College football is becoming rec league football where everybody gets a trophy.

SouthernBelly · 2026-10-16T09:32:00-0500

Piscis said:
Why not just have Football Season Part 2 that starts in early January and all P4 teams play in a 7 round playoff of all 64 P4 teams and 64 other FBS teams? Everyone get to play more games and make the playoff and feel great about their team!!!

24 is ridiculous, hell, 12 is too many. College football is becoming rec league football where everybody gets a trophy.

Don’t need a part 2. Have an 8 game regular season. In game 8 everyone has to play their biggest rival and there has to be a fight. If you lose the game and the fight you’re disqualified from the post season even if you go 7-1. Then there’s a 64 team playoff. So even though that’s an absurd number of teams, this scenario checks alot of boxes.

Jonesz2 · 2026-10-16T09:53:30-0500

18IsTheMan said:
A chance to what? A first round CFP game is just a rebranded Pop Tarts Bowl.

A team that lost 3 games out of 12 in the regular season ain't winning 5 straight over top-ranked teams.

The CFP is just following the bowl game trend, just at a highly accelerated pace. Used to be making a bowl game was a major accomplishment. Now it's something pretty much everyone gets.

2011 NY Giants we 9-7 and went on to win the Superbowl. Should they have had a chance. No.

Piscis · 2026-10-16T10:02:17-0500

Jonesz2 said:
2011 NY Giants we 9-7 and went on to win the Superbowl. Should they have had a chance. No.

They won their division, so, yes, they should have had a chance. If a P4 team somehow went 7-5 but won their conference, they should be in the playoff. A P4 team that went 8-4, finished fourth in their conference and was ranked #22 should not be in any playoff.

18IsTheMan · 2026-10-16T10:15:20-0500

92Pony said:
You finish the regular season 9-3 and go to the Mayo bowl - most of your talent opts out and your season is done with a whimper.

OR

You finish the regular season 9-3, earn a playoff spot and you have a chance. You have zero chance at a title if you're not in a playoff scenario. Now you're in. As someone else mentioned, your talent, by and large, stays and plays. Maybe you're on fire and win a game or two? Maybe not. But you had a chance. Me, personally, I wouldn't be beating my chest sliding in at the 20th, or 22nd, or 24th playoff spot, but it would be cool to be in there. I just don't understand the distaste for it.

If an NFL caliber player was going to opt of a single bowl game b/c of injury risk, what are the odds he's going to play in FIVE more games?

I'm sorry to break it to folks, but you will be seeing opt outs in the 24-team CFP as well.

Uscg1984 · 2026-10-16T10:53:06-0500

18IsTheMan said:
It's a TV deal. Nothing more. Nothing less.

That is the driving force. East Carolina played UAB last night in front of what appears to be about 3500 fans. But the American conference is going to give each of them about $5m at the end of the season on the strength of their TV deal. Clearly, the UAB fan base didn't care enough to show up for the game, but that doesn't matter because the product isn't for them anyway. The product is built for a few hundred thousand bored sports fans (like me) who watched it last night.

If you love extended playoffs, fine. But we are trading regular season excitement for it. Rivalry weekend will need to be moved to earlier in the season or else players will be rested for those games.

Breaking: 24 Team Playoff Done Deal?

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