CFP expansion decision delayed

The College Football Playoff (CFP) commissioners and participating conferences have agreed to extend the decision-deadline for expanding the playoff field—initially set for December 1—to January 23, the Friday after the national championship game.

At the heart of the delay: a significant impasse between the Big Ten Conference, which favors multiple automatic qualifiers for its members, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which prefers a larger pool of at-large bids rather than guaranteed spots.

Sources suggest that because the two power conferences remain far apart on format, the CFP is likely to retain the current 12-team model for the 2026-27 season. The extension gives stakeholders additional time to review data from this year’s bracket before engaging in discussions about potential 16- or even 24-team formats in future years.

In short: The expansion remains in flux. With the deadline pushed back, conferences have a bit more breathing room—but also more pressure—to agree on the direction of the playoff’s future.