An internal Big Ten document showing off what their proposed 24-team playoff would look like has been released, and the reaction is... not great.
NEW: An internal Big Ten document explores a 24-team College Football Playoff. It offers a peek at what that model could look like, as another off-season of CFP discussion is set to unfold. Details here: https://t.co/on2sqej1H8 pic.twitter.com/j6twmdqyFp
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 13, 2026
Almost immediately, fans and analysts appeared to agree in their criticism of the format, focusing on how it kills the importance of the regular season and that a 12-team playoff is already big enough.
Yeah. This stinks. https://t.co/sLf8R8XE6G
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) February 13, 2026
Industry leader in dumb ideas persists in pushing a dumb idea.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) February 13, 2026
(The Big Ten, not Pete.) https://t.co/0OgKPGqDnd
Yay! 7-5 Tennessee/7-5 Iowa who has MAYBE 1 win over a bowl eligible team can get gifted a spot into the CFP at #23 in coming years! That’s excellent.
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) February 13, 2026
Totally nukes the regular season.
Just kill the regular season importance more.
— Buckeye 365 (@KingRyanDay) February 13, 2026
This is utter trash.
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) February 13, 2026
Michigan didn't beat a single ranked team all year, got blown out by Ohio State at home and would be 1 win away from a playoff rematch of "The Game." https://t.co/FbDfMxRXd0 pic.twitter.com/iPt918wn5z
Please never let this happen. https://t.co/nyrnfZZGpX
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) February 13, 2026
A 24-team playoff isn't an idea created out of the blue. The FCS (formerly Division 1-AA) runs a 24-team playoff format with 11 conferences receiving an automatic bid.
The Big Ten's format would consist of the 23 top teams, with one spot held for a G6 team.
If we go 24, just use the FCS Playoff Format
— CFB Redzone (@redzone_cfb) February 13, 2026
Making it so much harder than it needs to
Is a 24-team playoff inevitable despite the public backlash?