Big 12 Coaches Unite for 24-Team Playoff, Eye 10th Conference Game
At the annual spring meetings in Frisco, Texas, Big 12 football coaches made a significant decision by unanimously supporting a 24-team College Football Playoff. This marks the fourth major group to receive a presentation from the College Football Playoff (CFP) staff, who anticipated a challenging discussion but were met with attentive listeners. The coaches learned about the CFP selection criteria and how a 24-team format could benefit the Big 12. Notably, the league would have likely secured five playoff spots under this model, a stark contrast to its single playoff entry, No. 4 Texas Tech, in the current 12-team system. Impressively, 15 out of 16 Big 12 teams would have qualified for the 24-team playoff since 2014, with only Kansas missing out. Key points from the discussions included: Oklahoma State projected to have six playoff appearances. Utah potentially achieving eight appearances. The average Big 12 team expected to make three playoff appearances. Brett Yormark, Big 12 commissioner, noted that while the 24-team format could enhance opportunities, it might also lead to the sacrifice of the conference championship game, which holds significant value. In addition, the Big 12 is considering the introduction of a 10th conference game to bolster teams' chances of making the expanded playoff, thereby increasing revenue and television inventory. While discussions continued, tensions with the SEC emerged, as SEC coaches expressed concerns about the CFP's treatment of strength of schedule. In response, Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire defended the Big 12's competitiveness, arguing against perceived biases. The conversation around a 24-team playoff remains a hot topic, with many believing it could lead to a more equitable postseason, allowing teams to settle disputes on the field rather than in debates.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-30