Big Ten Explores 24-Team College Football Playoff

Potential format change could eliminate conference championship games

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to reports, the Big Ten Conference is exploring a proposal to expand the College Football Playoff to a 24-team format, which would eliminate the need for conference championship games. This potential change would significantly impact the USC football program, which has struggled to make the CFP since its inception in 2014, even with the recent expansion to 12 teams.

Why it matters

The proposed 24-team playoff format would drastically alter the landscape of college football, potentially making it easier for USC to reach the postseason but eliminating the conference championship game, a beloved tradition in Trojan football history. This change could redefine what constitutes a successful season for the USC program.

The details

Under the reported 24-team playoff proposal, the format would feature a 23+1 selection process, with the first two rounds played on college campuses, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game at neutral sites. This format would eliminate the need for conference championship games, which have been a key part of the college football calendar.

  • The College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams in 2024.
  • The Big Ten is currently exploring the 24-team playoff proposal.

The players

USC

The University of Southern California football program, which has struggled to reach the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014.

Big Ten Conference

The collegiate athletic conference that is reportedly exploring the 24-team playoff proposal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The landscape of college football has been changing rapidly over the past decade, with the introduction of the College Football Playoff, the transfer portal, and shifts in name, image, and likeness completely remaking the sport as we know it. It doesn't appear that the change is going to stop any time soon, either.”

— Zachary Neel, College Sports Wire (Trojans Wire)

What’s next

The Big Ten's proposal for a 24-team College Football Playoff is still in the exploratory phase, and it remains to be seen if the idea will gain traction with other major conferences and the NCAA.

The takeaway

The potential shift to a 24-team playoff format could have significant implications for the USC football program, potentially making it easier to reach the postseason but also eliminating the conference championship game, a long-standing tradition in Trojan football. This proposed change highlights the ongoing evolution of college football and the need for programs like USC to adapt to the changing landscape.