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Big Ten Proposes 24-Team College Football Playoff
Michigan Wolverines would face Utah in proposed expanded playoff model
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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The Big Ten Conference has proposed a 24-team College Football Playoff model that would be implemented by 2029. Under this proposal, the Michigan Wolverines would have drawn an 18 seed and faced off against the Utah Utes in the opening round, with the winner advancing to play Ohio State in the second round.
Why it matters
The proposed 24-team playoff model represents a significant expansion from the current 12-team format, which was just implemented for the 2024 season. This move reflects the ongoing debate around the optimal size of the College Football Playoff and the desire of conferences like the Big Ten to have more representation and access to the national championship.
The details
The Big Ten's proposal would first expand the playoff to 16 teams for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, before moving to a 24-team format in 2029. The 24-team model would consist of the 23 best teams in the country, plus one spot reserved for a Group of 6 program. There would be no automatic qualifiers, and regular-season rematches would not be permitted in the first round, though games between conference foes could still occur.
- The proposed 24-team playoff model would be implemented starting in the 2029 season.
- The CFP would first expand to 16 teams for the 2027 and 2028 seasons as an interim step.
The players
Michigan Wolverines
The University of Michigan's football team, which would have been an 18 seed in the proposed 24-team playoff model.
Utah Utes
The University of Utah's football team, which would have faced Michigan in the opening round of the proposed 24-team playoff.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State University's football team, which would have hosted the winner of the Michigan-Utah matchup in the second round of the proposed 24-team playoff.
Big Ten Conference
The collegiate athletic conference that has proposed the 24-team College Football Playoff model.
College Football Playoff (CFP)
The current national championship system for Division I FBS college football in the United States.
What’s next
The proposed 24-team playoff model will likely be a major topic of discussion during the upcoming college football offseason, as the CFP looks to potentially expand beyond its current 12-team format.
The takeaway
The Big Ten's push for a 24-team College Football Playoff represents a significant shift in the landscape of major college football, as conferences seek greater access and representation in the national championship system.
