Is the Big Ten About to Break College Football Wide Open?
It started behind closed doors, with quiet chatter in Big Ten boardrooms. Now it’s gaining traction fast. According to ESPN, the Big Ten is exploring an idea that would once have sounded impossible: turning the College Football Playoff into a 28-team monster.
In a move that could shake the sport’s foundations, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has pitched three new CFP models: 16, 24, and 28 teams. While no plan is official, the most radical would replace conference championship games with expanded playoffs, starting in early December with on-campus matchups.
This isn’t a minor tweak. It’s a full-blown rewrite. And fans, players, and schools alike should buckle up.
A Power Grab or Power Share?
Under the 28-team proposal, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive seven automatic playoff bids. The ACC and Big 12 would get five. That’s 24 spots locked in before any at-large teams or Group of Five entries are even considered.
Critics say this tilts power toward the richest leagues. Supporters call it recognition of on-field dominance. Either way, it’s hard to ignore the stakes. Automatic bids would now become the ultimate currency in recruiting and media contracts.
No More Conference Championships
In exchange for more playoff games, conference title games would be scrapped.
Think about that. No Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis. No SEC title game in Atlanta. Tradition traded for television, because those first two playoff rounds (20 games total) would take place on campus. That means Alabama hosting Utah. Michigan in the snow against Oregon. March Madness–style drama, but in December.
It’s part nostalgia, part revenue play, and 100% meant to drive TV viewership and fan engagement.
More Games, More Dollars, More Questions
Petitti’s timing is strategic. The current 12-team format launches in 2025. After that, a new CFP contract with ESPN kicks in through 2032. Any expansion would need to be locked in by Dec. 1 of this year.
More games mean more money, but also more strain. A team winning the national title in this format could play 17 games, matching an NFL regular season. How does that affect health, academics, or roster depth?
Some commissioners are cautious. Others, like the ACC and Big 12, support a 16-team playoff with more at-large bids. The SEC has flirted with that format too. But the Big Ten? They want more.
What’s Next?
On Sept. 24, all 10 FBS commissioners, and Notre Dame will meet in person at Big Ten HQ. That meeting could shape the future of college football.
Tony Petitti has made one thing clear: the Big Ten is ready to act fast and think big. His message to the rest of college football? Bring your ideas, or get left behind.
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