Georgia Football AD Makes Bold Push for Hypothetical 16-Team College Football Playoff
In a move that could reshape the postseason landscape of college football, Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks has made headlines by advocating for a 16-team College Football Playoff (CFP) model—a bold request that, if approved, could cement the Southeastern Conference (SEC)’s dominance in the sport for years to come.
Speaking at an SEC athletic summit in Destin, Florida, Brooks outlined a vision for the future of college football—one that prioritizes competitiveness, access, and, undoubtedly, the strength of the SEC. “If we’re serious about rewarding the best teams and giving fans the most compelling matchups, then expanding to 16 teams is the next logical step,” Brooks declared. “This isn’t about just the SEC. It’s about making sure that no elite team is left out simply because of conference politics or a one-loss hiccup.”
Brooks’ proposal would guarantee automatic bids for all Power Four champions (with the Pac-12’s future still in question), the highest-ranked Group of Five champion, and 11 at-large bids—selected by the playoff committee. That structure, critics argue, would disproportionately benefit powerhouse leagues like the SEC. But Brooks is unapologetic. “If the SEC ends up with five or six teams in the playoff,” he said, “that’s not favoritism—it’s merit.”
The 2024 season already marks the expansion from four to 12 teams, a change that came after years of lobbying and frustration. But within the SEC—and particularly among programs like Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and even rising forces like Missouri—there’s a growing sense that 12 may not be enough to fully reflect the conference’s depth.
“Take last season,” Brooks explained. “Georgia went 11-1, lost the SEC Championship to Alabama, and missed the playoff. But anyone who watched that team knew they were top-four material. In a 16-team system, that kind of elite program doesn’t get sidelined.”
His remarks have sparked passionate debate across the college football landscape. Critics say that expanding further dilutes the regular season and could lead to player burnout. But Brooks believes that with a proper schedule—possibly cutting down to 11 regular-season games and eliminating conference divisions—the system can thrive. “Playoff games are more valuable than bowl games that barely crack a million viewers. Fans want stakes.”
Industry insiders suggest Brooks’ comments may be strategic. As television contracts and media rights evolve, more playoff games mean more revenue—something not lost on administrators. ESPN and FOX are reportedly monitoring expansion talks closely, with an eye toward bidding wars over high-profile quarterfinal and semifinal matchups.
While there is no formal proposal on the table yet, Brooks’ high-profile support for a 16-team model is likely to accelerate discussion. With Georgia’s clout and the SEC’s growing leverage, what once seemed like a far-fetched idea is beginning to feel inevitable.
“If we want to crown a true champion,” Brooks concluded, “we need to make sure every team with a claim has a shot. Sixteen teams. No excuses.”
For college football, the playoff just might be getting bigger—and so is the SEC’s influence.
