---
title: "ACC backs Big Ten's push for 24-team College Football Playoff"
description: "Jim Phillips announces support for expanded bracket, pressuring SEC and reshaping postseason access."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/acc-backs-big-ten-s-push-for-college-football-playoff-expans-mp4fvny7
published: 2026-05-13T18:04:24+00:00
updated: 2026-05-13T20:28:05.623+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["football"]
---

# ACC backs Big Ten's push for 24-team College Football Playoff

> Jim Phillips announces support for expanded bracket, pressuring SEC and reshaping postseason access.

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips announced Wednesday that the conference is backing the Big Ten's proposal to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams.

This marks a major shift in power conference alignment, as the ACC aligns with the Big Ten to push for a significantly larger bracket.

Phillips emphasized the need for a model that balances competitive equity with the sport's growing demands, signaling that the current four-team format may be nearing its end.

The proposal, if adopted, would more than double the current 12-team playoff that begins this season.

By uniting behind the Big Ten, the ACC is essentially forming a voting bloc that could force the SEC and other conferences to negotiate or risk being left out of the new structure.

The move increases access for more programs, potentially including Group of Five champions and at-large teams from deeper conference pools.

This realignment threatens the SEC's long-held dominance over playoff access and revenue distribution.

A 24-team field would dilute the SEC's annual share of the pie while creating more opportunities for teams from the ACC, Big Ten, and others.

The economic stakes are enormous, with each playoff game generating millions in TV revenue.

The ACC's support could accelerate negotiations, pushing the CFP management committee to finalize a new format before the current contract expires.

What's next: The CFP board of managers will meet in the coming weeks to discuss the proposal.

Expect intense lobbying from the SEC and Notre Dame, who stand to lose the most under a 24-team model.

## Why this matters

This is a seismic realignment in college football's postseason structure. If the Big Ten and ACC unite behind a 24-team playoff, it pressures the SEC and others to negotiate, potentially ending the four-team era for good and creating the most inclusive national championship bracket ever. The move fundamentally alters the sport's postseason economics and access, shifting power away from the SEC and toward a more equitable distribution of revenue and opportunities across conferences.

## Frequently asked

### What did ACC commissioner Jim Phillips announce?

Phillips announced Wednesday that the ACC is supporting the Big Ten's proposal to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, a significant shift in conference alignment.

### Why is the ACC backing the Big Ten's proposal?

The ACC aims to increase access for its programs and balance competitive equity. By forming a bloc with the Big Ten, it pressures the SEC to negotiate a more inclusive playoff format.

### How would a 24-team playoff change college football?

It would more than double the current 12-team field, adding more at-large bids and Group of Five access. This dilutes SEC dominance and spreads revenue across more conferences.

### What happens next in the CFP expansion process?

The CFP board of managers will discuss the proposal in upcoming meetings. Expect negotiations with the SEC and Notre Dame, who may resist a larger bracket.

## Sources & Citations

- [ACC backs Big Ten's push for College Football Playoff expansion to 24 teams](https://www.sportsnet.ca/ncaafb/article/acc-backs-big-tens-push-for-college-football-playoff-expansion-to-24-teams/) — TheNewsAPI.com (2026-05-13)

---

Cite: ACC backs Big Ten's push for 24-team College Football Playoff. Sportopod, 2026-05-13. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/acc-backs-big-ten-s-push-for-college-football-playoff-expans-mp4fvny7