Notre Dame reportedly plans to change its schedule due to 24-team playoff
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The College Football Playoff appears to be headed toward a 24-team format, with ESPN and the CFP reportedly working on a new expansion deal. The new format is going to change the very nature of college football, and it sounds like one team is already planning its adjustments.
As the 24-team playoff seems to be all but a done deal, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are reportedly planning to change the way they schedule their opponents going forward.
24-Team Playoff on the Horizon
On Thursday, college football insider Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports laid out what the 24-team playoff is expected to look like, including 23 at-large bids plus one spot for the top Group of Six team, first- and second-round games on campus, a week off after the regular season, and the elimination of conference championship games.
The proposal would also come with a requirement that every Power Four school play at least 10 Power Four games, which 11 schools currently don’t meet for 2027.
However, the deal isn’t done just yet. The CFP Management Committee, made up of the 10 FBS conference commissioners and Bevacqua, received the details of ESPN’s proposal on Thursday, but there was no vote, according to Dellenger, who reported that “there were issues raised from executives in the process.”
“Constructive discussions with ESPN continued this week. We have enjoyed a strong partnership with ESPN since our inception and are appreciative of the productive dialogue we have had throughout the negotiating period and continuing over the last several days,” the CFP said in a statement. “We will provide additional updates on the matters of future format and media rights when appropriate.”
Notre Dame’s Scheduling Shift
The 24-team playoff would obviously change a lot about college football with more teams getting into the field, and it sounds like Notre Dame is already planning some changes to navigate that new reality.
“Notre Dame is expected to increase its frequency of playing SEC and Big Ten schools as part of the 24-team expansion,” Dellenger wrote on X.
Notre Dame has long held onto its independence, though it plays five ACC opponents each season as part of a scheduling agreement with the conference. The Irish also have their own TV deal with NBC.
Obviously, more games against the SEC and Big Ten would make for a tougher road for the Irish. But with 24 teams making the postseason, there would be more margin for error for teams during the regular season, allowing teams to schedule some of these more marquee games.
The post Notre Dame reportedly plans to change its schedule due to 24-team playoff appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos