At a Glance
- Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark says playoff changes, including more campus games, are on the table.
- Oregon’s 23-0 win over Texas Tech at Hard Rock Stadium highlighted empty seats and long travel.
- Conference leaders must decide by Jan. 23 on a 12-team or larger playoff field.
- Why it matters: The next season’s playoff format will shape travel, fan access, and revenue for teams.
The Big 12 commissioner announced that decisions on the College Football Playoff are still being weighed, with a deadline of Jan. 23 to lock in next year’s format.
Playoff Format Debate
Under the current 12-team system, first-round games are played on the campus of the higher seed. The rest of the rounds stay at traditional bowl sites, with this year’s final in Miami Gardens.
Yormark said:
> “Everything’s on the table and, and hopefully we’ll be very thoughtful about it, and if there’s change, we’ll announce it in due time.”
He added that the sport’s clunky calendar-long layoffs, the transfer portal, and coaching changes-must also be considered.
Game Locations and Fan Experience
Oregon’s 23-0 victory over Texas Tech took place in front of thousands of empty seats at Hard Rock Stadium. The Ducks traveled 3,200 miles to Miami and will next head to Atlanta for the semifinals.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning remarked:
> “This is a playoff. A playoff in my opinion should’ve been played in Lubbock, Texas. There are a lot of people who do playoffs. Playoffs have looked a certain way for a long time. We’re trying to serve two purposes here. The amount of time between games, obviously it’s tough for teams. We experienced it last year.”
Teams with first-round byes have gone 0-6, raising questions about the fairness of the current format.
Conference Views and Future Decisions
The SEC and Big Ten differ on the next playoff shape: the SEC favors a 16-team field of at-large bids, while the Big Ten pushes for 16 or more with more automatic qualifiers.
| Conference | Vision for Next Playoff |
|---|---|
| SEC | 16-team field, at-large bids |
| Big Ten | 16+ teams, more automatic qualifiers |
| Big 12 | TBD, but “everything’s on the table” |
| ACC | TBD |
Under the agreement that takes effect next year, the Big 12 and ACC are presumed to lack decision-making power, though Yormark insisted, “We have a big voice in that room.”
Yormark also said the College Sports Commission’s participation agreement is being reworked so all 68 Power Four teams can sign it.
Cody Campbell, Texas Tech head of regents, said:
> “I don’t think it’s going to be that helpful in terms of creating any kind of stability. And it’s going to be challenged in court, already is being challenged in court, and it’s not going to go well for the CSC.”
Key Takeaways
- The Big 12 commissioner says playoff changes, including more campus games, are on the table.
- Oregon’s win highlighted travel and fan attendance issues in the current 12-team format.
- SEC and Big Ten disagree on a 16-team field; the Big 12’s future role remains uncertain.
The next playoff season will hinge on decisions made by Jan. 23, potentially reshaping college football’s biggest stage.
