Multiple sources tell ESPN that strong support exists for a 16-team College Football Playoff starting in 2026, pending an agreement between Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. A Jan. 18 meeting in Miami is scheduled, with a Jan. 23 deadline looming. If they cannot agree, the format will remain at 12 teams.

The Big Ten is reportedly leveraging its support for a 16-team field to secure a future commitment for 24 teams. Sankey and the SEC are open to a 16-team model but hesitant to lock in a larger expansion now. Power 4 commissioners are discussing tiebreaker changes to prevent scenarios like Miami's recent exclusion.

The SEC and ACC moving to nine-game schedules will complicate the selection committee's job. With more two- and three-loss teams, comparing résumés becomes tougher. While a 24-team model without automatic qualifiers is gaining quiet traction, the immediate focus remains on breaking the stalemate between the two power brokers.