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Likely 24-team CFP expansion could reshape college football (again) in 2027

The College Football Playoff is poised to expand its 12-team format to a 24-team structure as early as 2027, according to ongoing negotiations between the CFP and ESPN. While a preliminary framework has been discussed—including a revenue-sharing model to offset losses from eliminating conference championship games—no formal agreement has been finalized.

The proposal has sparked division among Power Five conferences, with the Big Ten advocating for the larger field to extend postseason relevance into November, while the SEC remains cautious. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has previously favored a 16-team expansion, citing financial and competitive concerns, and University of Georgia President Jere Morehead has publicly opposed a direct jump to 24 teams, preferring a phased approach.

The proposed 24-team model would include four automatic bids for Power Five champions, one for the top Group of Six champion, and 19 at-large selections, with the top eight teams receiving first-round byes played on campus. Texas Longhorns football could benefit from the expansion, potentially easing the demands of an SEC schedule while offering an additional path to national contention.

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