Reports: No CFP expansion decision with Friday deadline looming

Field Level Media|published: Sun 18th January, 16:58 2026

NCAA Football: Vegas Kickoff Classic-Southern California at Louisiana State

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Big 10 commissioner Tony Petitti (left) and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey attend the game between the LSU Tigers and the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the deadline for College Football Playoff expansion next season approaching on Friday, there is still no resolution after a Sunday meeting of CFP's leadership in Miami, according to reports.

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey hold much of the power over CFP expansion because of a memorandum of understanding signed by all 10 FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua, who make up the CFP management committee.

Petitti reportedly wants to expand to a 24-team field, while Sankey and the SEC prefer adding four more teams to create a 16-team format. Although there is reportedly support within the committee for a move to a 16-team field, Petitti will not agree to this starting in 2026 unless Sankey agrees to move to a 24-team field starting in 2029, according to an ESPN report.

If the two sides cannot agree on a new format by Friday, the 2026 College Football Playoff will stay with 12 teams.

"Still more work to do," Petitti told reporters as he left Sunday's meeting.

A 24-team College Football Playoff would eliminate the need for conference championship games, which is reportedly a sticking point for Sankey and the SEC.

--Field Level Media

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