College Football Playoff Signals Greatest Interest Yet In Expanding To 24 Teams, Could Begin As Soon As 2027

It looks like it’s happening, ladies and gentlemen.

The College Football Playoff’s hierarchy came to an agreement Tuesday to launch a negotiating window with ESPN that will span over 30 days. The move signals the CFP’s greatest interest yet in a playoff that features 24 teams, and it could begin in 2027. (RELATED: SEC Looking To Potentially Expel LSU From Conference, Vote Scheduled For Thursday)

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According to ESPN, people in the know are insisting that this isn’t a commitment from the College Football Playoff in regard to a 24-team format, but more of an indication that both the SEC and Big Ten believe that a conversation needs to happen with the sole rights holder of the event to see how much value is attached to it.

The negotiating window could potentially begin Wednesday, according to an ESPN source. The window opening will assist in determining whether or not a 24-team playoff will bring in the proper revenue to provide compensation for losing conference championships, as well as additional revenue.

Honestly, I’m torn right down the middle on this one.

On one hand, the traditionalist in me hates the idea of gutting conference championship games. That first weekend in December is college football purity. Ripping those games off the schedule just to cram in more bracket matchups feels kind of dirty.

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On the other hand, you have my Miami Hurricanes.

Selfishly, a 24-team playoff is practically a get-out-of-jail-free card for a program like Miami. In that format, an 8-4 or 9-3 down year doesn’t torpedo national championship dreams. Instead of being relegated to a bowl game that half the roster doesn’t even show up for anyway, the Canes are almost guaranteed a seat at the big table year in and year out. It builds a giant safety net around Coral Gables.

So yeah, my brain is at war with itself. As a Canes fan, the idea of permanent playoff insurance makes me want to sign off on the 24-team bracket yesterday. But as someone who genuinely loves college football and everything that makes it unique, it would be quite brutal to just watch conference championship games fade into the history books.

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