AFCA Advocates 24-Team CFP Expansion and Key College Football Reforms

The push to expand the College Football Playoff (CFP) is picking up steam. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) just recommended a pretty big shake-up of the current setup.

They want to expand the CFP to the max number of teams, ditch conference championship games, and wrap up the season by the second Monday in January. People have mixed feelings about CFP expansion, but these changes could make the postseason a lot more interesting—and maybe even easier for programs to manage.

So, what exactly is the AFCA suggesting, and how might it change college football? Let’s take a look.

AFCA’s Push for CFP Expansion

The AFCA recently voted to recommend a CFP with the largest possible field. That’s a big deal for the sport.

Their Board of Trustees includes some well-known coaches and has the attention of conference commissioners and university presidents. Sure, they don’t have direct power over the NCAA or the CFP, but when they talk, people in charge tend to listen.

Proposed Changes to the College Football Schedule

Here’s what the AFCA is putting on the table:

• Eliminate Conference Championship Games: These games usually just feature teams already locked into the CFP anyway.
• Standalone Army-Navy Game: Keep this classic rivalry in its own special spot.
• Season Ends by Second Monday in January: Finish up the season quicker, with less dragging things out.

Impact of Eliminating Conference Championship Games

Getting rid of conference championship games could streamline the whole postseason. Right now, these games often include teams that are already in the CFP.

For example, the 2025 Big Ten championship game was Indiana vs. Ohio State—the top two seeds in the playoff. If these games go away, the playoff could start sooner, making the schedule less drawn out.

Benefits for Players and Coaches

Wrapping up the season earlier means players get a longer offseason to recover. Coaches would have more time to work on their rosters and handle staff changes.

This might help cut down on the mid-season chaos that’s thrown off some playoff teams in the past. Plus, a shorter gap between the end of the regular season and the playoffs could help keep fans interested instead of letting excitement fizzle out.

Standardizing the Schedule

The NCAA’s FBS Oversight Committee has also suggested something: all teams start their season during what’s now called Week 0. That way, everyone plays 12 games and gets two bye weeks by the end of November.

It sounds like a small tweak, but it could make the season feel way more consistent for everyone involved.

Addressing the 12-Team Format Issues

The move to 12 teams in the playoff was supposed to make things better, but honestly, the reviews are all over the place. Some say the first-round games are boring and the season drags on too long.

The SEC has pushed for 16 teams, while the Big Ten wants 24. Lately, the momentum seems to be swinging toward the bigger field.

Advantages of a 24-Team CFP

Going to 24 teams could fix a lot of the headaches with the current system. Teams that miss the CFP now end up in bowl games that barely matter to anyone.

If those teams got a shot in the playoff, maybe there’d be fewer players opting out and more energy in those late-season games.

Competitive First-Round Matchups

Sure, even with 24 teams, some first-round games might be lopsided. But at least there’d be more chances for real competition, instead of bowl games where nobody’s really trying.

And maybe, just maybe, teams would schedule tougher non-conference games if a single loss didn’t wreck their playoff hopes. That could make the regular season a lot more fun to watch.

Financial Incentives and Fan Engagement

Networks would love the extra playoff games—more games mean more money, plain and simple. The constant talk about expansion from people who stand to profit is getting old for some fans, though.

Still, if the AFCA’s plan goes through, the postseason could finally feel faster, more meaningful, and honestly, just better for everyone involved.

Revitalizing the Regular Season

For the purists out there, the regular season’s value took a hit when the field expanded to 12 teams. Expanding to 24 teams, though, with a few rule tweaks, might actually bring some of that spark back.

We could see the regular season get a real jolt. Teams might start rolling the dice, scheduling big non-conference games just to boost their resumes.

If you want to dive deeper, check out the full article on Maize n Brew.