Brett Yormark Backs 16-Team College Football Playoff, Urges Stability Moving Forward
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - As the College Football Playoff continues to evolve, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is making one thing clear: he’s all-in on a 16-team format-and he believes once the system lands there, it needs to stick.
Speaking ahead of the Orange Bowl quarterfinal clash between Texas Tech and Oregon, Yormark didn’t shy away from the ongoing CFP expansion talks. While the future of the playoff format remains fluid, he emphasized the importance of finding stability once the next step is taken.
“We went from four to 12. Who knows what’s next?”
Yormark said. “One person’s opinion is that wherever we land, I think we should stay there.”
It’s a perspective rooted in the need for rhythm and consistency. College football has undergone a whirlwind of change in recent years-conference realignment, NIL, the transfer portal, and now a growing postseason.
Yormark’s message? Let’s not rush the next phase.
Let’s get it right, then give it time to breathe.
The commissioner noted that the Power Four conference leaders are expected to meet again soon-virtually next week, and then in person around the CFP National Championship Game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium. The looming deadline? January 23, the date ESPN has set for resolving key CFP expansion details.
“I think I speak, at least for the Big 12, and I think for some of my peers, that expansion is good,” Yormark said. “And I like the 16-team format. I’ve been very consistent about that since last spring.”
That consistency has become a defining trait of Yormark’s approach. He’s not just pushing for more teams; he’s pushing for a sustainable model that can serve the sport long-term. But he’s also realistic-acknowledging that there are layers of complexity still being sorted out behind the scenes.
“There’s a lot of nuances to it, and we’re working through that,” he said. “Hopefully we can do something for next year, but we’ll see. Jan. 23’s around the corner.”
Another topic gaining traction in these CFP conversations? Campus-hosted games. The first-round matchups have already delivered electric atmospheres, and Yormark sees that as a potential game-changer.
“The first-round games have been fantastic in every respect,” he said. “The pageantry just being on campus, I think, is a difference-maker for us.”
But extending campus sites beyond the first round? That’s a trickier proposition.
Yormark acknowledged that operational logistics need to be carefully evaluated. Can schools handle the demands of hosting a quarterfinal or even a semifinal?
That’s a question still on the table.
“Our bowl partners have been terrific,” he added. “The New Year’s Six bowls have been fantastic, great partners, and they put on an incredible experience. Everything’s on the table, and hopefully we’ll be very thoughtful about it.”
In a sport that often moves at breakneck speed, Yormark is calling for a moment of pause-not to slow progress, but to make sure the next step is the right one. A 16-team playoff might not be perfect, but in his eyes, it’s the right direction. And once college football gets there, he wants it to plant its feet and build something lasting.