Whitman reiterates preference for 24-team CFP field

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Jun. 26—CHAMPAIGN — The debate continues in college football with no clear-cut indication which way it will go.

At issue: How many teams should make the playoffs? The answer depends on who you ask.

On Thursday during the annual Josh Whitman roundtable, I put the question to the decade-long Illinois athletic director.

Knowing his bread is buttered in the Big Ten, Whitman went with the number favored by his conference.

Of course, had the field been expanded in 2024 and 2025, Illinois would have likely made it one or both seasons.

"We would have been (in), so I love the idea of 24," Whitman said at the Bielfeldt Athletics Administration Building. "It comes a couple years too late.

"But I think any time you're developing a postseason format," the Illinois athletic director continued, "to me the most important question is what are the implications for that format on the regular season."

In this case, the expansion from the current 12-team setup to the Big Ten-favored 24-team setup would be all good for the regular season.

Two reasons stand out to Whitman about why he likes the concept of 24 teams.

"One, this idea of trying to right-size the access, so that it is more in line with what has become customary in college sports," Whitman said.

More explanation please …

"Giving the appropriate number of teams access to the postseason," Whitman said. "It's hard to believe that forever we had a 1 vs. 2, and that was it. Compared to what we do in every other sport, that door is so, so small. Obviously, going to four helped, 12 helps (and) 24 feels really good."

He gives another check mark to the 24-team model.

"The reason it would be great for the regular season is now, say at the end of the year you've got for the last four to six spots, 12 or 15 programs jockeying for access to those last positions," Whitman said. "You've got now all those fan bases engaged. Rabid. Excited. You're playing more meaningful games in the month of November. That is good for college football."

What is Whitman's bottom line on the playoff number?

"Ultimately, I think 24 is a great idea, and we're excited about the possibilities," Whitman said. "Hopefully, we can get that across the finish line at some point in the not too distant future."

Changing role

Funny how the playoff talks have turned with the Big Ten trying to be out in front of expanded access.

For decades, the conference was considered one of the impediments to the formation of a multi-team playoff that seemed inevitable.

It was always weird to me that every NCAA sport ended in a championship tournament or playoff. Except Division I FBS football.

In hindsight, the delay makes even less sense when you consider the enormous success in the early years of the College Football Playoff.

Given the number of teams at the FBS level in 2026, 138, a 12-team field isn't nearly enough. Frankly, 24 will be to low, too.

If you win nine football games in a Power Four conference, your team deserves to compete for the national title. Doesn't mean you will win it, but you deserve a shot.

Big picture

Illinois football might not win nine or 10 games every year. Then what? Whitman wants to see the bowl games continue — and for them to thrive. For the good of the game and for his program.

"We're a great example," he said. "We weren't in the CFP the last couple of years. I think the Citrus Bowl and the Music City Bowl were incredible experiences. We were thrilled to be there. Our fans were excited to be there."

If the CFP expands, he said, there will be a fresh look at the bowl system.

"How could we tweak, adjust, modify, upgrade, modernize the bowl system so that it can continue to exist in parallel to the CFP?" Whitman said.

An expanded CFP won't be the end for the bowl system. For one thing, ESPN craves the holiday programming.

The coaches love the bowl season, too. They get extra practice time to develop younger players while going somewhere warm with their families on the bowl's dime.

Most coaches have bonuses, some very large, for reaching a bowl. And their staffs get extra money, too.

The bowls are all good for college football. While some have gone away in recent years, the system will survive as long as there are teams willing to make the trips.

Often, a berth in the Citrus Bowl one season leads to the CFP the next.

Especially if the playoffs expand to 24 teams.

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