Big Ten Insider 'Would Bank' on CFP Expanding to 14 Teams amid Bracket Rumors

After the successful debut of the 12-team College Football Playofff last season, a group of NCAA leaders will meet to discuss the future of the format and potential expansion going forward.

Per ESPN's Heather Dinich, one source from the Big Ten said they "would bank" on the playoff expanding to 14 teams in 2026.

According to Dinich, a 14-team playoff format would consist of two teams receiving first-round byes instead of four under the current model.

The playoff format is among the topics being discussed in New Orleans this week at a meeting of leaders from the SEC and Big Ten.

Per The Athletic's Stewart Mandel, the SEC and Big Ten officials are "expected to push forward with a full-on takeover of the College Football Playoff."

Mandel noted those two conferences would look to grant themselves four automatic berths each, with the ACC and Big 12 both receiving two, one for a Group of Five program and one to three at-large bids in an expanded playoff of 14 or 16 teams.

According to Dinich, there is "some buzz" within the SEC and Big Ten about using play-in games to determine playoff teams.

"For example, if the SEC and Big Ten had four guaranteed playoff spots each, the leagues could have 'play-in' games, and then those winners could determine their No. 3 and No. 4 automatic qualifiers—giving six teams an opportunity," Dinich wrote.

The 12-team playoff format is locked in for the 2025 season, but there's an expectation the field will see some type of expansion in 2026.

Per a March 2024 report from Dinich and Pete Thamel, agreements for the next iteration of the College Football Playoff were in the process of being finalized with an expectation a 14-team format would be in place for 2026.

Ohio State won the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff last season. The Buckeyes made the field as an at-large team, defeating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame to capture the program's ninth national title.