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RandomAsianGuy

ESPN article on CFP update

Sankey's support of a 16-team field is extremely significant because of the weight he carries in the room, but it won't happen if Petitti isn't on board. Sources say the Big Ten wants to use this as leverage to eventually lock in a field with at least 24 teams, with or without automatic qualifiers. In exchange for support of a 16-team tournament now, sources said the Big Ten is looking for a commitment to move to 24 teams after two or three seasons. Though some in the room might be willing to consider a 24-team field halfway through the new six-year deal, there is a strong reluctance to commit to it now -- and that could keep the stalemate ongoing. A 24-team playoff without automatic qualifiers, though, might be appealing enough for Sankey to consider. —————————————- So two options are: (1) CCG + 16 team playoff vs (2) No CCG + 24 team playoff Then the question is what will be played in the CG week under the option (2). I presume the B10 wants to schedule some type of “play-in” games that week but how can they do that unless they know how many playoff spots are assigned to them? My suspicion is that the 24+ team playoff will be just a repackaged 4-4-2-2-1-X.
Link: ESPN
Posted: 01/12/2026 at 12:23 AM ET

Thread Replies (52)

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ESPN article on CFP update ◄
RandomAsianGuy • 01/12/26 12:23 AM ET
Yep, Petitti (I mean Fox) trying to find ways to get part of the CFP
HouClone • 01/14/26 06:08 PM ET
Sounds very similar to my proposals, play in round, reg season conf champs
HokieAl • 01/13/26 07:29 PM ET
Carparelli lost me when he said this..."And regardless of the CFP format,
Hokebury • 01/13/26 12:42 PM ET
Heather is hanging out here! Much of what we have discussed in that article
Stech • 01/12/26 08:24 PM ET
She's a lazy reporter.**
EDGEMAN • 01/13/26 03:23 PM ET
Heather Dinich? I'm not a big fan of hers.**
RandomAsianGuy • 01/12/26 10:36 PM ET
Lost me at "Heather is incredibly smart."
Maroon Baboon • 01/12/26 09:07 PM ET
Hard to understand how Heather Dimwit has kept a job with ESPN so long**
Tailgate Guru • 01/13/26 12:38 PM ET
I agree. She is a B10 girl and doesn’t seem to care about the ACC much. **
RandomAsianGuy • 01/12/26 10:37 PM ET
When she was the ACC beat writer, it appeared she would just follow...
EDGEMAN • 01/13/26 09:44 AM ET
She should cover her Alma mater now that they’re good
Calamitous • 01/12/26 10:47 PM ET
Indiana grad, but I think her CF ideas have mostly been out of the box
Stech • 01/12/26 10:43 PM ET
Was she Indiana or PSU? I thought Indiana for some reason
Calamitous • 01/12/26 10:49 PM ET
I stand corrected, always thought it was Penn State, I will edit.**
Stech • 01/12/26 10:55 PM ET
Yep, she’s a Hoosier.
RJHokie • 01/12/26 10:57 PM ET
Cool, she has to be enjoying the Cingnetti ride.**
Stech • 01/12/26 10:59 PM ET
We agree to disagree, she's really smart IMHO.**
Stech • 01/12/26 09:15 PM ET
I originally thought 24 was too much until
Sunsetunderground • 01/12/26 10:17 AM ET
It’s not as bad or non sensical as it seems.
RandomAsianGuy • 01/12/26 12:20 PM ET
The JMU and Tulane of the world would still be in.
Lakeridgehokie • 01/12/26 11:30 AM ET
In time… a hungry JMU type school will knock off a big boy…
Calamitous • 01/12/26 11:06 PM ET
Illinois State says bring on North Dakota State. Fear the Redbirds.
VTHokie2000 • 01/13/26 01:14 PM ET
I don't think that is a bad thing. The transfer portal
Big12 guy • 01/12/26 11:37 AM ET
The NCAA basketball tournament seems to get a little attention. :-)**
Stech • 01/12/26 09:44 PM ET
Gotta give Petitti credit for refusing to give up his idea
PadrosWindup • 01/12/26 07:43 AM ET
Petitti and Bevacqua are two.....
2hhoop3 • 01/12/26 07:58 AM ET
Pete Bevacqua
TerryD • 01/13/26 07:04 AM ET
ACC should have hired a media guy for Commissioner, instead of an AD w/
Stech • 01/13/26 08:44 AM ET
Can you list those "hints"?
TerryD • 01/13/26 11:14 AM ET
Well…
Calamitous • 01/13/26 08:27 PM ET
Nobody can point to any objective evidence
TerryD • 01/14/26 06:58 AM ET
Hint might not be the right word. I think manipulation is a better word.**
Calamitous • 01/14/26 09:53 PM ET
ND joined the ACC in football in 2020, as we saved your season, is one, but
Stech • 01/13/26 01:57 PM ET
But that is not a "hint"
TerryD • 01/13/26 03:32 PM ET
You win, wish I had not mentioned it, I am moving on **
Stech • 01/13/26 04:31 PM ET
Ok.......**
TerryD • 01/13/26 05:03 PM ET
Wow**
Calamitous • 01/13/26 08:11 AM ET
24 team field is a 5 week playoff
obguthr • 01/12/26 06:45 AM ET
Start Week 0. No byes. Play straight through. National Championship in the
Maroon Baboon • 01/12/26 09:01 PM ET
Was just at the Rose Bowl. have the championship game
Big12 guy • 01/13/26 07:59 AM ET
Should be at the Rose Bowl every year.**
Maroon Baboon • 01/13/26 10:37 AM ET
The Granddaddy of them all......
2hhoop3 • 01/13/26 04:40 PM ET
The locals call that stadium the dive bar stadium. While I understand
Big12 guy • 01/13/26 10:46 AM ET
Very few schools would be deep enough to survive inevitable key injuries
Vippie1 • 01/12/26 02:44 PM ET
The richest programs used to stack their talent very deep. NIL changed that
33laszlo99 • 01/13/26 11:51 AM ET
Like you stated, the size of the conferences
Big12 guy • 01/12/26 10:23 AM ET
How do you define "the only way to assure that every school that should be
VTHokie2000 • 01/12/26 04:51 PM ET
The polls will still be involved, but if a NCSU or
Big12 guy • 01/12/26 07:15 PM ET
Are you sure NC State and Baylor will be ranked that high? A potential
VTHokie2000 • 01/12/26 09:53 PM ET
No - NCSU and Baylor were examples only - I was
Big12 guy • 01/12/26 10:09 PM ET
I realize you were using them as examples, but I am not sure it changes
VTHokie2000 • 01/13/26 01:01 PM ET
i agree 24 teams is stupid, but its been clear for a while nobody cares
VT Pez4Life • 01/12/26 09:30 AM ET