College Football Playoff Nears 16-Team Expansion Discussion

The 2025 college football season is shaping up with significant storylines including new high-profile figures like Arch Manning at Texas and Bill Belichick coaching North Carolina, alongside ongoing conference races and conference realignments such as the Mountain West schools moving to the Pac-12 next season. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey highlighted an upcoming meeting of college football leaders to discuss potential further College Football Playoff (CFP) changes beyond the 12-team format introduced in 2024, including possible expansion to 14 or 16 teams, although no consensus is expected yet. Group of Five teams like Boise State remain favorites to make the CFP in 2025, reflecting continuing competitiveness outside the Power Five conferences. Auburn is aiming to rebound from disappointing recent seasons with a revamped roster and strong recruiting classes, holding a 21.8% chance to make the CFP according to ESPN's FPI. Penn State is widely regarded as a championship contender for 2025, projected highly by Phil Steele and ESPN's FPI, and ranked sixth in ESPN's future power rankings, with a strong offensive line and returning starting quarterback contributing to sustained success prospects. Overall, major programs are positioning themselves for success amid evolving playoff structures and competitive dynamics across college football.