CFP Officials Consider Expanding to 14-Team Playoff Format by 2026

In Dallas, College Football Playoff officials discuss expanding to a 14-team playoff format by 2026.

During College Football Playoff meetings in Dallas on Wednesday, the concept of a 14-team College Football Playoff for the 2026 season was discussed. CFP executive director Bill Hancock confirmed the discussions but refrained from providing precise details, stating, "There's still work to be done."

So what impact does this have on the Longhorns who are now a part of the SEC as one of the larger financial powerhouses?

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In a 14-team playoff, top-ranked conference champions might earn a bye, boosting the importance of league title games. This format would resemble the new 12-team playoff.

ESPN recently reported Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti's discussion on expanding the playoff during a fall meeting. The move is driven by simple math: the Big Ten will have 18 teams next season, including USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, while the SEC will grow to 16 teams with Oklahoma and Texas joining.

Even if the Longhorns finish with a 9-3 record, ESPN analyst and commentator Greg McElroy went on record saying he gives Texas a 70% chance of making the College Football Playoff in 2024.

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A crucial matchup for Texas will be against Michigan, as they travel to Ann Arbor to face the defending national champions.

Earlier this month, the two leagues announced the creation of a joint advisory group consisting of university leaders and athletic directors. Their aim is to address the challenges confronting college sports and explore potential solutions.

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As CFP officials aim to solidify a television contract for the next eight years, three lingering concerns remain access, financial distribution, and governance. Hancock stressed the importance of resolving these issues within the next month.

Officials are still figuring out how automatic bids would be split in a potential 14-team playoff, like whether the Big Ten and SEC could each get up to four bids. 

Financially, the Big Ten and SEC want a better deal than the current one, where 80 percent of funds are evenly shared among the Power 5 conferences. Now, with four power conferences and 34 teams combined between the Big Ten and SEC, negotiations are crucial.