With the College Football Playoff format facing major changes in 2026, the Big Ten supported a proposal that includes more automatic qualifiers for the major conferences.
College Football Playoff Format: Big Ten Wants More AQs
The College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams last season for the first time. Starting in 2026, the format could expand again to include 16 teams.
The FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua have until December 1 to vote on a new format for the 2026 College Football Playoff.
The growing sentiment is that most conferences want to include 16 teams in the CFP. The format, however, has been a major point of contention.
During Big Ten media day in Las Vegas, Commissioner Tony Petitti explained that the conference supports a 16-team playoff that emphasizes conference play and play-in games.
“The Big Ten has been consistent in its strong preference for a playoff system that allocates spots based on conference standings and the results of play-in games,” Petitti said to the media. “We want to better connect the regular season and the postseason.”
Petitti believes in a set amount of automatic qualifiers for each conference. In Petitti’s proposal, the Big Ten and SEC receive four automatic qualifying spots. Both the ACC and Big 12 get two automatic spots. The highest-rated Group of 6 team gets an automatic qualifier. The final three spots will be at-large berths regardless of conference.
Instead of a championship game, Petitti wants to have play-in games to determine who earns the AQ. Petitti added that this method makes conference play more meaningful in November and gives teams more of a shot at making the CFP.
There is a major discrepancy between the major conferences. The Big Ten and Big 12 play nine conference games, while the SEC and ACC only play eight. Pettitti said the Big Ten won’t consider more at-large bids until they “understand what everybody is doing in their conference schedule.”
SEC, Big 12 Favor 5+11 CFP Model
CFP 5+11 model gaining traction among leaders – but big decisions loom with the clock ticking … my story from last day of @SEC spring meetings https://t.co/tCiMlRx4p6
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) May 29, 2025
The SEC and Big 12 also favor expanding the College Football Playoff to 16 teams. However, the format differs from the Big Ten.
The 5+11 format gives the five highest-ranked conference champions automatic bids into the CFP. Then, the next 11 teams would be determined via at-large bids.
The Big 12 wants the 5+11 method, while the SEC says it’s gaining support among the coaches.
The first domino that must fall revolves around the SEC’s decision to keep eight conference games or increase it to nine.
