At the Big Ten's spring meetings in Ranchos Palos Verdes, coaches made clear their push for a 24-team College Football Playoff — a format that has gained traction across the ACC and Big 12. Displayed outside the resort were three championship trophies from the past year: Indiana's football title and UCLA and Michigan's basketball crowns. Coming off three straight football national championships, the league wants its voice amplified.

Washington coach Jedd Fisch argued the league has been underrepresented in national coverage. He rattled off the last six championship teams — Washington, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Miami — none from the SEC. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti backs the expansion idea, which would require scrapping conference title games, shifting the season start to Week 0, and ending the regular season by early January.

Ohio State's Ryan Day bluntly stated the season needs to finish sooner. Coaches also voiced fierce opposition to a new punting alignment rule they deem nearly impossible to officiate, pushing for a college football competition committee modeled after the NFL. Whether the SEC adopts the 24-team model remains the defining question hanging over college football.