OSU Football: 14-Team College Football Playoff Likely Beginning in 2026
The College Football Playoff will see another change soon.
On Friday, the nine FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed to a CFP contract beginning in 2026. Although there are still details to figure out, a 14-team playoff is a likely outcome.
According to ESPN, the Big Ten and SEC will mostly control the final decision on the format. The 14-team playoff format is similar to the 12-team format set to begin next season.
In a proposed 14-team playoff, the five highest-ranked conference champions would earn automatic bids while the next nine highest-ranked teams would fill out the playoff.
The main change with the new playoff contract will be the money distribution. SEC and Big Ten schools will make more than $21 million per year. Meanwhile, schools from the ACC and Big 12 will receive more than $13 million and $12 million, respectively.
With the Pac-12 down to only two programs, it will not be a part of the CFP’s next contract. The CFP requires conferences to have at least eight teams for its champion to be in the running for a playoff spot.
However, with the ever-changing landscape of college football and conference realignment, renegotiation is on the table should the Pac-12 get more teams. With a 14-team playoff likely looming, there is still much more work to be done in the coming months and years.
The new CFP deal will not change much for Oklahoma State. As with the 12-team playoff, winning the Big 12 will remain the most straightforward path to a playoff appearance. A 14-team playoff would give OSU a better chance at an at-large bid.
Behind Ollie Gordon II, the Cowboys are not looking to wait until 2026 and a potential 14-team playoff to make an appearance. It will be a tall task in any year, but Mike Gundy’s team looks poised to compete for a playoff spot over the next few seasons.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.