
What the Big Ten’s Leaked 28-team CFP Format Would’ve Looked Like in 2024….
After publicly stumping for a nationally unpopular 16-team College Football Playoff format in Las Vegas, Tony Petitti’s Big Ten office has reportedly leaked a 28-team format with more auto bids.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
August 19, 2025
Approximately a month ago Big Ten Conference commissioner Tony Petitti attempted to justify his league’s position centering on automatic bids and not at-large selections for a proposed 16-team College Football Playoff and a devaluing of the selection committee’s responsibility. As Petitti stood at the podium during the first day of Big Ten Football Media Days in Las Vegas, it became clear this position was owned by the Big Ten and only the Big Ten and that the position was/is nationally unpopular.
The response from the Big Ten personnel including Petitti, who was in Champaign-Urbana last week attending an Illinois preseason football practice where Big Ten Network was doing its preview show of the Illini’s 2025 season, was to reportedly leak a 28-team College Football Playoff format with more automatic bids than the previous 16-team format.














