What happened: College football leaders are nearing agreement on expanding the playoff to 24 teams. The new format would take effect for the 2027 season. SEC leaders backed the expansion move.

Why it matters: A 24-team field would reshape postseason access and regular-season stakes across major conferences. More at-large spots would open paths for multi-loss contenders while reducing the cost of early defeats. The shift also carries major revenue implications tied to additional games and rights value.

What to watch: Watch for final approval and release of format details including seeding, byes and revenue distribution.