Ever since the BCS went out the window in favor of the College Football Playoff, it seems like there's been constant calls for reformatting the postseason. The four-team playoff was the first step, but as we have now moved to a twelve-team field, there are still people out there that are unsatisfied with the way things are.
As it happens, some of those dissatisfied people are those intimately involved with the inner workings of major conferences— specifically, the Big 10 and the SEC. Given that these two are now, clearly, the strongest two conferences in the entire nation, their leadership are searching for a way to grant further secure representation in the postseason tournament.
There have been whispers of proposals of what this expanded playoff may look like, but according to Yahoo Sports's Ross Dellenger, one model has been picking up some steam— and it could lead to some craziness late in the regular season.
Proposed College Football Playoff model could include insane play-in games to revamp conference championship weekend
The latest model that has been proposed would guarantee the SEC and Big 10 four spots each, while only granting two to the ACC and Big 12. This could be a tough pill to swallow for those conferences, as it essentially officially codifies what has up until now been an informal hierarchy.
REPORT: A 16-team College Football Playoff bracket is 'gaining support' in the Big Ten & SEC, per @RossDellenger🏆
— On3 (@On3sports) May 9, 2025
BIDS: 4 SEC, 4 B1G, 2 ACC, 2 B12, 1 G6, 3 at large
The Big Ten & SEC could have play-in games (3rd vs 6th 4th vs 5th)https://t.co/2yuyWJzpR5 pic.twitter.com/WksPoCsX0v
Because of that factor, it could be tough to get this passed, though it seems like something that resembles this model is an inevitability by this point. However, it's the note at the bottom that caught my eye: the Big 10 and SEC could have play-in games to get that last spot.
I think this is a really interesting and exciting idea. It's far different than how college football has been for quite some time, so those more resistant to change will likely hate it, but the idea of essentially extending the playoff out to these teams playing for their postseason lives is really exciting.
We've also seen examples of teams that have, through the quirks of conference scheduling, finished lower in the hierarchy than they should have, surrendering a postseason spot to a team that was less deserving. This could help to combat those situations, as such teams would have a chance to actually settle things on the field.
At the same time, this would clearly cheapen the championship weekend to a degree. If both teams are guaranteed a playoff spot, it's only a matter of time until some coach decides to coast in that game.
The heft of a conference championship is still pretty notable, though, so I don't think that would be imminent. Many people will decry this proposition for similar reasons, but at this point, I think it would heighten the excitement yet another level for the playoff.