What happened: Finebaum said a bigger bracket makes college football more exciting and relevant by keeping more late-season games meaningful. Smith said on First Take that teams outside the top 15-16 have not earned a spot and set his own cap at 16, pointing to 14 NFL playoff teams. Thamel said Oct. 15 that talks pointed toward a larger field starting in 2027, with nothing finalized as of Oct. 16.

Why it matters: The playoff used four teams from 2014 through 2023 before moving to 12 in 2024, so 24 would mark another sharp break in access versus quality. The Big Ten push is tied to hundreds of millions per year in added media value and offsetting lost conference title-game revenue. A bigger bracket with an earlier calendar also squeezes conference title games, which matter less when the crown no longer assures a deep run.

What to watch: Watch the Dec. 1 deadline for any 2027 format decision and whether conferences adjust title-game scheduling. Finebaum's earlier warning that 24 teams could dilute the regular season remains the counterweight.