With the NCAA football landscape changing year-by-year, many fans and commentators have strong opinions about this shifting landscape. One of those changes is that the College Football Playoff will soon expand to 24 teams. Former college football coach Urban Meyer is okay with that.
“My instant reaction is it's not death if you lose,” Meyer said, per FOX. “…..Now you're 12, and now 24. 24 if you lose, keep rolling.”
The 24-team CFP is starting in 2027 and @CoachUrbanMeyer gives his thoughts pic.twitter.com/Eu5VyhoQHj
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 14, 2026
The CFP format has moved from four teams to now 12 teams. The field will expand again to 24 teams, starting in 2027. That certainly allows more programs an opportunity to compete for a national championship.
“The 24-team field will be made up of four guaranteed spots for Power 4 conference champions (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC), one guaranteed spot for the highest-ranked team from the Group of 6 leagues (American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12 and Sun Belt) and 19 at-large spots chosen by the selection committee. Seeds 1-8 will earn a first-round bye and host a second-round game on campus. Seeds 9-24 will play first-round games on the campus of the higher seed,” The Athletic reported about the expansion.
Due to the playoff expanding, there are also changes coming to scheduling rules for power 4 college football teams. In order to qualify for a spot in the expanded playoff, those teams will have to play at least 10 other power 4 schools each year. That includes conference opponents, and then teams from other power 4 leagues or Notre Dame.
Article Continues BelowIt appears that this latest expansion might be the last new change for a while with the CFP.
“A move to a 24-team field in 2027 will mark five consecutive years with a change to the Playoff’s layout or format, but with this latest deal, talk of expansion is off the table for the near future,” The Athletic reported.
College Football Playoff games for this season begin in mid-December.