The College Football Playoff could double in size, and the conversation is getting more serious by the week. The CFP and ESPN are still discussing a 24-team format after an exclusive 30 day negotiating window expired last Friday. Officials called the talks constructive, but the details are confidential and more updates will come when it is time.

Where things stand

The playoff grew from four teams to 12 in 2024. Decision makers couldn’t agree on expansion, so the same 12-team model was used again this season, but that could change soon. The CFP announced in early September that it would open media rights talks with ESPN about changing the CFP format to 24 teams. Expansion talks are expected to heat up before a December 1st deadline for any changes that would take effect in 2027.

What 24 teams would look like

Under the model being discussed, the top eight teams would get first round byes, with the other 16 playing on campus sites in the first two rounds. It would add a round to the playoffs and eliminate conference championships. Automatic qualifiers would go away, and conference title games, worth an estimated $200 million to the Power Four leagues, would become meaningless. That is the biggest point of emphasis because leagues would need new playoff money to replace it.

Who wants what

The Big Ten first put forward the 24 team model and still supports it, and the Big 12 and ACC back it. The Big Ten and SEC have the final say on expansion. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has lobbied for 16 teams instead. The coaches have weighed in as well. The American Football Coaches Association pushed for a 24 team playoff, though some FBS coaches raised concerns about the length of the season and long rest periods for playoff teams.

Fox has said it likes the 24 team idea, but a broadcast partner has to figure out how much to pay for extra games featuring teams that might not draw the same ratings. Critics also argue it would hurt the regular season. One ESPN column said it would likely encourage teams to schedule easy wins to get to 9-3 or so to get in.

What it means for LSU

Nothing would change this year if the playoffs were expanded. LSU is 4-2 and ranked No. 22 with a lot of football left, but one road game would give LSU, a team with two losses, much less room for error. It will be an interesting story to watch leading up to December 1st.

— Eric Palmer, TigerSources