Longhorns Daily News: Is a 24-team College Football Playoff inevitable?

Q: What is the proposed 24-team College Football Playoff format?

The proposed format suggests expanding the current playoff to 24 teams, eliminating conference championship games while maintaining the Army-Navy game's exclusive time slot.

Q: Which conferences support the 24-team playoff model?

The Big Ten supports the 24-team playoff model, while the SEC is in favor of a 16-team format.

Q: When would the expanded College Football Playoff end each year?

The expanded College Football Playoff is proposed to conclude by the second week of January each year.

Q: What are the implications of changing the College Football Playoff format?

Changing the playoff format could significantly alter postseason dynamics, impacting team participation and scheduling across college football.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 19: Perry the Pylon, the College Football Playoff mascot, during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Across college football, the latest buzz is centered around the American Football Coaches Association’s recent vote recommending that college leaders replace the existing playoff format with “the maximum number of participants,” cut conference championship games, while preserving the Army-Navy game’s exclusive time window and scheduling other games throughout the day, and that the playoff will end by the second week of January each year. That’s according to recent reporting in Yahoo! Sports. From Yahoo! Sports: “The coaches association is the latest group to express support, publicly or privately, for a significant expansion of the sport’s postseason event — a divisive topic that has divided CFP decision-makers over the years. The 10 FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director—members of the CFP’s governance committee—met two weeks ago for their latest debate over the next iteration of what is now a 12-team playoff. At the center of those discussions is a 16-team or 24-team model—the former supported by the SEC and latter by the Big Ten. The two conferences must agree for any format to be adopted.” **WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS** *Austin American-Statesman*: How will Texas use its ball-strike challenges at the SEC Tournament? *Austin American-Statesman*: Where did Reese Atwood, Leighann Goode get selected in AUSL Draft? 247Sports: Could Brody Walls offer Texas baseball key innings in the postseason? He made a good case Tuesday 247Sports: Building an all-time Steve Sarkisian era Texas football team Inside Texas: ITYT Q&A: Post-spring needs, QB2 readiness, and freshman risers Inside Texas: Brody Walls adds a new dimension to Texas baseball’s bullpen Inside Texas: Just three key contributors remain from Texas’ 2025 Cotton Bowl roster **ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION** Where Matas Vokietaitis can improve as a junior Four-star Texas TE target Brock Williams sets commitment date **RECRUITING ROUNDUP** 247Sports: Peach State Pipeline: Commitments coming soon, battles heating up for top prospects in Georgia 247Sports: The Stampede: 10 more targets that could join Texas’ 2027 class Inside Texas: Tracking recent Texas Longhorns offers in the 2028 class, plus one 2029 prospect Inside Texas: Texas Longhorns Recruiting Intel: Latest on Junior Tu’upo, where UT is trending, and new RPM Inside Texas: Prediction: Texas trending for four-star wide receiver **SEC SHOWDOWN** *Austin American-Statesman*: What does Texas softball need to do at the SEC Tournament to help its NCAA case? Rock M Nation: What Missouri achieved in the transfer portal — and what’s left to do Rocky Top Talk: Report details just how much Tennessee basketball spent in the transfer portal Roll ‘Bama Roll: Troy topples Tide, 6-1 A Sea Of Blue: Mark Pope addresses Kentucky Basketball roster, Malachi Moreno NBA decision, and more **WHAT WE’RE READING** SB Nation: The AFCA’s push for a 24-team CFP may actually help college football SB Nation: Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo to miss Preakness SB Nation: 6 NFL coaches on the hot seat to start 2026 **NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND**