Urban Meyer Pans 24-Team CFP Proposal Amid Big Ten Plan

The former Ohio State coach believes the potential expansion is too much for the college football calendar.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is not a fan of the Big Ten's proposal to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams. Meyer believes that 24 teams is too many and would extend the season too long, with games still being played in late January. He suggests the focus should be on scheduling rather than just increasing the number of teams in the field.

Why it matters

The College Football Playoff format has been a topic of much debate, with proposals to expand the field beyond the current 12 teams. Meyer's comments provide an influential perspective, as he is a respected former coach who has experienced the demands of the college football calendar firsthand.

The details

Meyer, now a broadcaster and analyst, discussed the 24-team proposal on "The Herd With Colin Cowherd." He said, "I think that's too many games, too many teams. I like the idea [of expanding], because ... I think we're in the golden era of parity in college football." However, Meyer believes the current 12-team format is preferable to expanding to 24, as it would push the season too far into late January.

  • The Big Ten recently proposed expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams.

The players

Urban Meyer

Former head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes and current broadcaster/analyst.

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What they’re saying

“I think that's too many games, too many teams. I like the idea [of expanding], because ... I think we're in the golden era of parity in college football.”

— Urban Meyer, Former Ohio State Head Coach (The Herd With Colin Cowherd)

The takeaway

Meyer's perspective as a respected former coach carries weight in the ongoing debate over the future of the College Football Playoff format. His concerns about the 24-team proposal potentially extending the season too long could influence the discussion as the sport's leaders consider potential changes.