Big 12’s Brett Yormark Urges Expansion of CFP to 16 Teams

UPDATE: Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has just announced a bold push for the College Football Playoff (CFP) to expand from 12 to 16 teams, signaling a significant shift in college football’s playoff landscape. This announcement, made just hours before the Orange Bowl kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, is set to reshape the future of the sport.

Yormark, who showcased his support for Texas Tech by donning a red tie, stated he is in favor of the proposed expansion model that would include five automatic bids for conference champions. “We’ll see what we can do — or not — for next year,” he said, emphasizing that January 23, 2024, is a critical deadline for discussions among power conference commissioners.

This potential expansion comes on the heels of overwhelmingly positive feedback from the current playoff format, particularly the exciting atmosphere of first-round games hosted at higher seeds’ home stadiums. “The first round games have been fantastic in every respect,” Yormark noted, underscoring the need for a thoughtful approach as discussions about extending these formats continue.

Yormark also addressed the ongoing debate over the congested college football calendar, which sees key dates like the early national signing period and the playoffs overlap. With significant events compressed into a tight timeframe, including the opening of the transfer portal on January 2 and the national championship game on January 19, coaches like Joey McGuire of Texas Tech are advocating for a calendar overhaul. McGuire suggested starting the season earlier to alleviate these scheduling conflicts.

“How do we work together to figure out the calendar?” Yormark asked, confirming that vital modifications are necessary. He expressed confidence in reaching a participation agreement soon between the College Sports Commission (CSC) and universities, aimed at regulating name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules. The CSC, which allows schools to allocate up to $20.5 million in direct payments to athletes, is under scrutiny, particularly from state attorney generals concerned about its authority.

Despite these challenges, Yormark remains optimistic. “I’m confident that once we make the necessary adjustments, it will have teeth to it, the participation agreement,” he stated, anticipating widespread agreement among power conference schools.

As discussions about the future of college football intensify, all eyes will be on the upcoming meetings before the January deadline. Yormark’s proactive stance could lead to transformative changes that benefit both players and fans alike, reshaping college football’s playoff framework for years to come.

Stay tuned for more urgent updates as this story develops.