College Football: Coaches Question Conference Value Amid Playoff Expansion

Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert and Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz publicly questioned the continued relevance of conference affiliations this week. Both coaches stated that the sport’s structural shifts, specifically the elimination of conference championship games, have rendered the traditional conference model less useful for member programs.

Starting in the 2026 season, the College Football Playoff will expand from 12 teams to 24. This change necessitates the removal of conference title games to accommodate the larger bracket. Dickert noted that the new schedule creates high-stakes elimination games for conference members, a risk that independent programs like Notre Dame avoid. He described the current structure as feeling odd without the ability to claim a conference championship.

The shift has placed mid-major programs within major conferences in a precarious position. The University of Minnesota, currently 5-4 and 3-3 in the Big Ten, serves as a primary example. Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle stated that the university has been a legacy member of the conference since its founding in 1896. However, he acknowledged that the Big Ten and SEC have effectively separated themselves from other major leagues, creating a tiered system in college football.

Coyle expressed concern that elite teams might form a super league or operate independently, leaving other programs with a smaller share of television rights revenue. He noted that Minnesota received $63 million in media rights from the Big Ten in 2025. By comparison, Miami, which is currently 8-1 and ranked fifth, receives an average of $25 million less from the ACC. Miami president Joe Echevarria said the university is evaluating moves to the Big Ten, the SEC, or independence based on these economic disparities.

Legislative efforts are also addressing the conference landscape. The Protect College Sports Act, which has passed the Senate and is currently in the House, includes a provision to cap conference membership at 22 teams. Senator Ted Cruz, the bill’s author, stated the measure aims to prevent the Big Ten and SEC from merging into a single super league.

Independent status is gaining appeal for programs with strong national brands. Notre Dame, currently ranked third, has maintained independence to secure its own national television rights deal. ESPN contributor Josh Pate argued that elite programs will eventually determine they are worth more on their own than as part of a conference. He stated that the question is no longer if programs will leave conferences, but when.

The four major conferences have agreed to drop their football championship games to clear calendar space for the 24-team tournament. This decision removes a key component of conference identity and revenue sharing. As a result, the motivation for mid-tier programs to remain in their current leagues is being scrutinized by coaches and administrators alike.