During Big Ten Media Days, commissioner Tony Petitti continued to push for his 24-team playoff idea. In fact, the way he talked was as though it was something that’s coming sooner or later and not “if.” Unsurprisingly, after he gave his keynote opening address, one coach after another – including Nebraska’s Matt Rhule – made the case for why they all believe a 24-team College Football Playoff field is not only inevitable, but best for the sport. In the process, Petitti let one detail slip that wasn’t a shock, but certainly hasn’t been talked about much.
Petitti said that if the 24-team CFP becomes reality, the Big Ten will almost certainly do away with the conference championship game. That sentiment has been echoed among other conference commissioners over the last few years. More and more coaches have complained that championship games make it harder for a good seed to get into the playoffs.
Nebraska AD Troy Dannen let another little detail slip that might be a little more surprising if and when the playoffs move to 24 teams. He believes if that comes about, the Big Ten will also do away with a non-conference game and move to a 10-game conference slate…