Ad Disclosure
College Football Playoff leaders reportedly considering ‘alternate’ expansion model, decision could come soon
By Adam Spencer
Published:
College Football Playoff expansion has been in the news a lot since this past offseason, with different models being proposed for what should happen moving into the future.
On Thursday, Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reported that an “alternate” to the proposed 12-team model is now being mulled by CFP leaders.
Per Dellenger, the new model would do away with the 6 highest-ranked conference champions getting auto-bids. Instead, the 5 Power 5 champs and the best Group of 5 champ would get auto-bids:
NEWS: Leaders are mulling an alternate 12-team playoff expansion model proposed last week, sources tell @SINow.
Instead of 6 highest-ranked conference champs getting auto bids, the alternate model grants AQs to each P5 champion + best G5 champ – a “5+1”https://t.co/Ok33FuObIg
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 11, 2021
Of course, in most years, those models would both lead to the same teams getting automatic invitations, but it seems as if some Power 5 conferences feel the need to lock down auto-bids for their leagues.
Per Dellenger, the 8-team expansion model is all but dead due to a lack of support:
https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/1458800348840275969
So, when could this decision potentially become the reality? Dellenger reports that league commissioners will meet in Dallas Dec. 1 and 2. He breaks down the 3 options on the table:
Commissioners next meet Dec. 1-2 in Dallas with what appears to be a trio of options: (1) remain at 4 thru 2025: (2) approve the original 12-team expansion; or (3) approve the 12-team alternate.
Several officials are optimistic on expansion by 2024.https://t.co/Ok33FuwAjG
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 11, 2021
So, it seems expansion could be coming soon. We’ll see what the commissioners decide in early December.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
