THINKtank: CFP expansion?

The CFP conference commissioners met recently in Miami before the Championship game. High on their agenda was a potential expansion of the playoffs from the current 12-team format to either a 14 or 16 school playoff.

Currently, the SEC and Big Ten hold all the cards to determine if CFP should expand in 2026. In the talks there was disagreement between the Big Ten and the SEC on automatic qualifiers. The SEC wants only one automatic qualifier for each of the Power Four conferences (SEC, B1G, ACC and Big-12.) The Big Ten supports four automatic qualifiers from EACH of the Power Four conference.

Supporters of the SEC model want to keep the conference championship games in place, with the remaining 12 berths decided by the CFP committee. The B1G model would eliminate the conference championship games. Supporters of the B1G model are concerned about too much external influence (ESPN) on the committee’s selection process.

As the meeting closed, it was reported the commissioners are willing to extend the current 12-team model for the 2026 season.

Of interest is the ACC position on this issue. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips is in favor of the SEC model. The ACC is currently under a media rights agreement with ESPN.

NOTRE DAME?

The B1G proposal would force the Irish into joining a conference, while the SEC proposal would create 12 vacant berths for Notre Dame to be selected by a committee.

BOTTOM LINE:

Would you want the ACC to continue hold a conference championship game with only one guaranteed berth in the playoffs OR have four teams guaranteed a berth in the playoffs with no conference championship game?

THINK ABOUT THAT…

GO CANES!