Can't Wait For Saturday Fans of CFP expansion getting an assist from Illinois coach

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Mar. 6—***

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema talked to the media for about 20 minutes on Thursday at the Smith Center, covering a wide range of topics.

It was at about the six-minute mark — give or take a few seconds — when my ears perked up.

Regular readers of CWFS — and thank you — realize I am all for an expansion of the current 12-team College Football Playoff. Sounds like Bielema, who would have made it the last two years if that had been the number, s with me.

"The other thing that's gained a lot of weight, and I know our commissioner (Tony Petitti) was a big part of it, just going to a 24-team playoff, which I know certain conferences weren't in favor of at the beginning but now that everybody's playing a nine-game conference I think everybody would love the opportunity to have a 24-team playoff," Bielema said.

He continued.

"Now that I see SEC coaches out and speaking on behalf of adopting that same policy, it's exciting. I know this: in college football right now. if the SEC and Big Ten can get together and think like-minded instead of opposite-minded and work together, I think we can put college football in a position it's never been before. That to me is really exciting for a lot of people."

I'll admit, my initial idea on CFP expansion was to go to 16 teams with home games the first two rounds.

But the more I dive into the 24-team concept, the more it makes sense. Yes, 24 is a lot of playoff teams, but will be a smaller percentage (17.3) making the field than the numbers in college basketball (18.6).

Sure seems like a plan. It might take a minute to get all the power that be to agree to it, but having Bielema on board is a good sign.

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