​Washington quarterback Will Rogers walks on the field near a Big Ten logo during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle.
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Lindsey Wasson
College football leaders appear to be getting closer to expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams.But there’s one potential problem: Not everyone watching the sport is sold on the idea.A new survey from The Athletic breaks down what fans really think about expanding to 24 teams. Turns out, 70% are against it and only 30% are on board.The poll’s results arrive at a pivotal moment for the CFP, with discussions over a potential 24-team format moving forward and the big bad SEC signaling a willingness to consider expansion after months of resistance.While some of the sport’s biggest conferences continue to push for a larger postseason, questions remain about whether expansion would actually make college football better for fans. And based on the poll results, that answer is no.Nevertheless, the proposal is gaining momentum.SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said Wednesday at the conference’s basketball media days that the league is open to expanding the playoff, adding that a decision could come “probably sooner rather than later.”“I think there’s an openness to playoff expansion on our part,” Sankey said, adding that attitudes and perspectives can change over time.It feels like an expanded 24-team College Football Playoff is gonna be happening..SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said there is an openness to College Football Playoff expansion#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/uCc8tqszPk— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 14, 2026The SEC’s willingness to consider the idea could be a major step toward an agreement, particularly with the Big Ten continuing to push for a larger field.Why a 24-team playoff is gaining tractionThe CFP expanded from four teams to 12 in 2024, giving more programs a chance to compete for a national title.But now, conference leaders are discussing what could come next. The Big Ten has advocated for a 24-team field, with the ACC and Big 12 also supporting expansion. “I’ve said it before, more access is needed as too many great teams are still left out,” said Commissioner Brett Yormark at Big 12 football media days. “I’ve also said before, we still need to work through the economics and scheduling, and address any unintended consequences.”The SEC had previously favored a smaller increase to 16 teams, expressing concerns about scheduling, player workloads and the impact on the regular season.Now, that resistance appears to be easing.One of the biggest sticking points has been scheduling. The Big Ten has indic