Trump’s Executive Order Threatens College Football Playoff Expansion Plans
The landscape of college football is about to change in a big way. The College Football Playoff (CFP) might jump from its current 12-team format to as many as 16 teams.
But there’s a twist—a new executive order from former President Donald Trump could throw a wrench in the works. The order is meant to protect the traditional Army-Navy game from getting lost in the shuffle of the playoff schedule.
People are talking about it everywhere. Honestly, it’s hard to say how deep the ripple effects might go for the future of college football.
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The Evolution of the College Football Playoff
Back in 2014, the College Football Playoff started with just four teams. For years, that was the setup—four of the best teams battling for the championship.
Things stayed that way until 2024, when the CFP expanded to 12 teams and four rounds. That meant a longer season and—if you’re counting—a possible 17 games for some teams.
Potential Further Expansion
Now, just two years after that big change, there’s already buzz about bumping the playoff field up to 16 teams. ESPN reports this could happen as soon as next season.
But scheduling’s a headache. Playoffs usually start the weekend before Christmas. One idea is to move the first round to the second weekend of December, but that’s easier said than done.
Trump’s Executive Order: Protecting a National Tradition
Here’s where it gets tricky. The expanded CFP schedule could clash with the annual Army-Navy game, a rivalry that’s been going strong since 1890.
Trump announced he’d sign an executive order to carve out a four-hour broadcast window just for the Army-Navy game. The idea? Make sure this historic matchup isn’t drowned out by a flood of playoff games and TV deals.
Trump called the Army-Navy game one of America’s greatest traditions. He talked up its patriotism, courage, and honor—hard to disagree, really.
He warned that this tradition could get sidelined by more playoff games and big TV money. The exclusive broadcast window is supposed to keep the spotlight on the players and what the game stands for.
Scheduling Challenges and Possible Solutions
Usually, the Army-Navy game starts around 3:00 p.m. ET, leaving just enough room for a CFP game after things wrap up. But playing a playoff game the Friday before? Not happening—conference championships are that weekend.
So, there’s barely any wiggle room. Fitting both events in without overlap is a real challenge.
Decision Timeline
Everyone’s looking at January 23 for an official call on expanding the CFP. That’s not much time to sort things out.
Stakeholders have to weigh the executive order and figure out how to respect the Army-Navy game while making the new playoff schedule work.
The Impact on Teams and Players
If the CFP goes to 16 teams, it’s a big deal for the athletes. Some could end up playing 17 games—physically and mentally, that’s a lot to ask.
The longer season might mess with academic schedules, too. It’s tough to balance football and school, and this won’t make it any easier.
Balancing Tradition and Progress
It’s a balancing act: grow the playoff system but don’t trample on traditions like the Army-Navy game. There’s always that tug-of-war between making money and keeping college sports true to their roots.
With the deadline looming, everyone’s scrambling for a solution that doesn’t leave either side in the dust. No easy answers, but that’s college football for you.
Conclusion
The ongoing talk about expanding the College Football Playoff keeps bumping into the Army-Navy game. It’s one of those classic situations where tradition and change can’t seem to agree.
Former President Trump’s executive order? That just makes things messier. It’s almost like the more we try to move forward, the more we trip over history.
With the January 23 deadline creeping up, it’s clear the college football world has some tough choices ahead. Can they really find a fix that honors the Army-Navy game’s legacy while keeping up with the sport’s new demands?
If you’re curious for more details, check out the full story on Sports Illustrated.
