Phillip Fulmer weighs in on proposed CFP expansion
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Phillip Fulmer doesn’t want College Football Playoff expansion to go too far.
Speaking to Knox News, the former Tennessee head coach was asked for his thoughts on the Playoff potentially expanding to a 16- or 24-team format in the near future. Fulmer feels 24 is too many teams.
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“I don’t know what they’re going to do. (SEC) commissioner (Greg) Sankey is pretty dead set on sticking with 16 teams (in an anticipated expansion). I think that’s a good number,” Fulmer said, per Adam Sparks. “But if you go to 24, you might as well let everybody in because you’re almost taking the whole top 25. I wouldn’t like that.”
As noted by Sparks, current Tennessee leadership is in favor of the 24-team Playoff. Head football coach Josh Heupel shared his support for the proposed format in March. Last week, at a Big Orange Caracan stop in Nashville, athletic director Danny White also said he’s in favor of a 24-team CFP.
Fulmer acknowledged that his views on the Playoff have changed before, suggesting he could come around on 24 teams.
“I wasn’t for any type of playoff back in the day,” Fulmer told Knox News. “But after seeing it play out, I think it’s a really great thing. So any playoff benefits a team that loses early in the season but gets better and better.”
For now, the Playoff will remain at 12 teams for the 2026 season. It could expand in time for the 2027 season.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
