Report: Big Ten, SEC Building 'Momentum' in Talks to Expand CFP to 14 or 16 Teams

There is "momentum" within the SEC and Big Ten to further expand the College Football Playoff format to 14 or 16 teams, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

The model would include four automatic qualifiers from the Big Ten and SEC each, two from both the ACC and Big 12, one Group of Five team and as many as three at-large bids (via Dellenger).

Per Dellenger, the format would "pave the way" for the SEC to play nine conference games and finalize a scheduling partnership with the Big Ten.

USA Today's Matt Hayes reported that SEC and Big Ten officials previously met in Oct. 2024 to discuss scheduling agreements that could lead to a "significant increase in media rights revenue."

Under the discussed proposal, the two conferences could participate in "as many as 12 to 16 regular-season nonconference games a year" in order to "determine the extent of the increase in media rights revenue," per Hayes.

Following the first year of the expanded 12-team playoff format to wrap up the 2024 season, increasing the field of teams even further has been discussed.

CFP executive director Rich Clark told reporters on Dec. 10 that conference commissioners were looking into the possibility of a 14-team CFP starting with the 2026 season.

The proposal from the SEC and Big Ten hasn't been met with unanimous approval, though.

Dellenger noted on Sunday that "many administrators" from the Big 12 and ACC are not supportive of a format with "so many automatic qualifiers designated for the SEC and Big Ten."

As for the Group of Five, leaders are "prepared to fight" for an increase upon their sole automatic access spot, per Dellenger.

The SEC and Big Ten may look to present their format ideas during the upcoming CFP Management Committee meeting on Feb. 25.