Report: CFP Expansion could be on the horizon, 12-team recommendation

According to a report from Pat Forde and Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, expansion could be on the horizon for the College Football Playoff.

Sources told the two reporters to anticipate a release Thursday afternoon (June 10) with a recommendation from the CFP management committee — with a recommendation to expand.

The College Football Playoff has been around since the 2014 season. Since its inception, the event has included four teams: two semifinal games, then a championship matchup. Ohio State won the first CFP that season.

The ACC has claimed two CFP titles; both of those have, of course, come courtesy of Clemson.

However, it didn’t take long — if anytime at all — for expansion talks to hit the event. Four teams made plenty of sense, but as always: there’s money to chase. More teams, more TV events, more cash. The math is incredibly simple. (Beyond that: it also greater amplifies the odds of having more powerhouse programs, with large media presences and fanbases, matchup in the event.)

This has always been an inevitability.

Nicole Auerbach from The Athletic notes that the recommendation will be for a 12-team model, which would exceed some of the 8-team projections that have floated around for year.

This new format could also have an interesting impact of Notre Dame’s current station. David Teel points out that Notre Dame, as an independent, would not be eligible for a first-round bye in the 12-team format.

Notre Dame spent the 2020 season as a one-year sojourn of sorts in the ACC for football, too. However, that stay ended after the season.