The American Football Coaches Association has thrown its weight behind a major expansion of the college football postseason. The AFCA voted to recommend a playoff with the maximum number of participants, an end to conference championship games, and preserving the Army-Navy game's exclusive window while moving other games on that day.
The AFCA Board of Trustees, led by executive director Craig Bohl, adopted these recommendations during their annual meeting. The most notable proposal is a 24-team playoff, which would eliminate league title games and conclude by early January.
Though the AFCA has no official authority over the College Football Playoff, its board includes influential coaches like Bret Bielema, Brent Venables, Clark Lea, Rhett Lashlee, Joey McGuire, and Pat Fitzgerald, who can sway decision-makers such as conference commissioners and university presidents.
The move comes amid ongoing debates among the 10 FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame's athletic director, who met two weeks ago to discuss future CFP formats. A 16-team model favored by the SEC competes with the 24-team model backed by the Big Ten, with both conferences needing consensus for any change.
Under the proposed 24-team model, the top eight seeds would receive a first-round bye, while seeds 9-24 play in the first round on campus. Conference championship games would be scrapped, and the playoff would start immediately after the regular season to shift the national title game to the second Monday in January.
However, hurdles remain. Conference title games generate $250 million in value, which must be recouped. Media consultants are evaluating a 24-team field's financial impact, with estimates of $300-700 million in added revenue. The SEC's Greg Sankey and his presidents remain cautious, preferring a gradual expansion.
The Army-Navy game also poses a scheduling conflict, as its traditional December slot clashes with potential playoff rounds. Options being explored include moving the game to Thanksgiving week or conference championship weekend if title games are discontinued.