ESPN locks in broadcast rights through 2031 as fan skepticism lingers
ESPN secures playoff broadcast rights through 2031 while majority of fans oppose expansion.
Event / Sports
College Football Playoff Expansion
College Football Playoff undergoing structural changes including expansion and format modifications for 2027 season onwards
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2026-09-28 to 2026-10-28 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Sept, 00:28 UTC
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What happened
ESPN secures broadcasting rights to additional College Football Playoff games through 2031
ESPN is finalizing a deal with the College Football Playoff to broadcast the additional games created by the expansion to 24 teams. The agreement extends through the 2031 college football season. ESPN's current broadcasting deal for the CFP runs through 2031, and the new agreement covers the additional playoff games within this timeframe.
College Football Playoff to expand from 12 to 24 teams beginning in 2027
The College Football Playoff is expanding to 24 teams starting with the 2027-28 season, pending final approval. The expansion will introduce 12 additional teams to the playoff field. The 12-team format will remain in place for the 2026-27 playoff season. This expansion comes after only three years of operating a 12-team format, which debuted in 2024.
Expanded College Football Playoff to eliminate Power Four conference championship games
The proposed 24-team playoff expansion would eliminate Power Four conference championship games. The regular season would start one week earlier to accommodate the changes. Conference championship games across the Power Four and Group of Six conferences are expected to be eliminated beginning in 2027.
First two rounds of expanded College Football Playoff to be played on campus sites
The first two rounds of the expanded 24-team playoff will be played on participating teams' campuses rather than at neutral bowl sites. The traditional New Year's Six bowl sites will be integrated into the quarterfinal and semifinal slots. First-round games could begin the second week of December, with Army-Navy game moved to an exclusive window on conference championship Saturday in early December.
Majority of college football fans oppose 24-team playoff expansion
Fan sentiment strongly opposes the playoff expansion, with over half of the 12-team playoff games last year featuring double-digit blowouts. Fans cite concerns about reduced regular season importance, increased player workload, safety issues, and perceive the expansion as motivated primarily by broadcaster revenue rather than improving the sport. Critics argue that teams with three or four losses could qualify, reducing stakes in rivalry and late-season games.
24-team College Football Playoff to feature 19 at-large bids and five automatic bids
The expanded 24-team playoff bracket will include 19 at-large bids. Automatic qualifying bids will go to each of the four Power Four conferences, with the fifth automatic bid allocated to the highest-ranked Group of Six team. This structure aims to balance representation across different conference tiers.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell throws incomplete pass on potential game-tying drive
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell, in his sixth career start, finished 16 of 30 for 185 yards and a touchdown. In the final moments with Georgia leading, Russell attempted a second-down pass to the end zone to receiver Rico Scott, but the pass was incomplete after Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden made contact with the receiver. No pass interference flag was thrown, and Alabama was subsequently sacked on the next play, moving out of field-goal range and forcing a punt.
Georgia defeats Alabama 20-17 in SEC college football rivalry game
Georgia overcame a 14-10 halftime deficit to defeat seventh-ranked Alabama 20-17 in a SEC rivalry game. Georgia's quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown. Georgia's running game accumulated 206 yards with Dwight Phillips rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown. The winning drive was capped by a Peyton Woodring field goal with 5:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. This victory marked Georgia's first win in Tuscaloosa since 2007.
Iowa drops six spots to No. 20 after loss to Ohio State
Iowa dropped six spots in the AP Top 25 rankings from No. 14 to No. 20 after losing to Ohio State 31-14 in Week 5.
No. 18 USC defeats Washington 25-21 after previous loss to Oregon
USC, ranked No. 18, bounced back from a tough loss to Oregon the previous week by defeating Washington 25-21 in Week 5.
No. 22 Penn State loses second consecutive game to Northwestern 34-13
Penn State, ranked No. 22, suffered its second consecutive loss, falling 34-13 to Northwestern in Week 5. The game was Northwestern's first contest at the revamped Ryan Field.
No. 5 Indiana defeats Rutgers 47-15 in Big Ten play
Indiana, ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25, defeated Rutgers 47-15 with a dominant performance in Week 5 of the college football season.
Nebraska remains undefeated with 48-23 victory over Maryland
Nebraska defeated Maryland 48-23 in Week 5 to maintain an undefeated record. The Cornhuskers are off to their best start since 2016. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea contributed 238 passing yards, 108 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Nebraska scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to turn a close game into a blowout.
No. 6 Ohio State defeats No. 14 Iowa 31-14 in Big Ten matchup
Ohio State traveled to Iowa and won 31-14 in Week 5 of the 2026 college football season. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had a notable performance with 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The victory was described as one of the highest-profile matchups of the day in the Big Ten conference.
Florida drops eight spots to No. 16 after loss to Missouri
Florida suffered the largest drop in the AP Top 25 after Week 5, falling eight spots from No. 8 to No. 16 following its 45-17 loss to Missouri. The Gators, who had been among the week's biggest vote gainers in the previous rankings, now must rebuild credibility as a contender.
No. 24 Michigan loses to Minnesota 20-14 under coach Kyle Whittingham
Michigan, ranked No. 24, fell to Minnesota 20-14 on the road in Week 5. The loss continued Michigan's struggles in its first season under coach Kyle Whittingham. Quarterback Bryce Underwood had a season-low performance, throwing for only 101 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Missouri defeats Florida 45-17, climbs 11 spots to No. 14 in AP poll
Missouri defeated Florida 45-17 in Week 5, with the Tigers controlling the game from start to finish using strong defense and a powerful passing attack. This victory marked the largest jump in the AP Top 25 rankings after Week 5, with Missouri rising 11 spots from outside the top 25 to No. 14.
Wisconsin defeats Michigan State 31-3 under coach Luke Fickell
Wisconsin continued its recent surge under coach Luke Fickell with a dominant 31-3 victory over Michigan State in Week 5.
Alabama moves to No. 6 after defeating Mississippi State
Alabama moved up in the AP Top 25 rankings from No. 7 to No. 6 after defeating Mississippi State in Week 5.
Oregon defeats USC 41-27 with backup quarterback Dylan Raiola
Oregon won 41-27 against USC on Saturday with backup quarterback Dylan Raiola taking over after Dante Moore was injured. Raiola, a Nebraska transfer, completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. The victory marked Oregon's first ranked win of the season.
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2 alternative perspectives
Expanded playoff format eliminates Power Four conference championship games
Playoff expansion eliminates Power Four conference championship game requirements starting 2027.
College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams with New Bid Structure
College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams in 2027 with at-large and automatic bids.
Georgia Stuns Alabama 20-17 in Tuscaloosa Rivalry Thriller
Georgia defeats Alabama 20-17 after Russell's incomplete pass ends Alabama's late comeback attempt.
Major Shifts Reshape Top 25 After Week's Decisive Matchups
Missouri's dominant win vaults it 11 spots to No. 14 as multiple ranked teams suffer upsets this week.
Oregon Defeats USC 41-27 Behind Backup Quarterback Dylan Raiola
Oregon beats USC 41-27 with backup QB Dylan Raiola starting.
USC linebacker suspended for late hit that injured Oregon QB
USC linebacker Stephens II suspended one game after late hit injured Oregon QB Dante Moore with concussion.