A proposal to expand the CFP from 12 teams to 24 has gained momentum, with talks indicating an expansion could occur as early as 2027, pending formal approvals. While a larger field would generally improve Notre Dame’s chances of earning a spot in the playoffs, it would also come with notable trade-offs: a more competitive regular season and tighter control over opponents would likely accompany the expanded format.
One important aspect of the discussion is scheduling. Reports indicate that the expanded format would encourage Notre Dame to increase its frequency of playing teams from the SEC and the Big Ten. This would mark a shift from the program’s typical cadence, which has often balanced ACC opponents with a separate schedule structure under its NBC home package. The rationale behind this scheduling push is that a larger playoff field would reward teams that perform against higher-caliber competition, and Notre Dame’s national exposure makes them a naturally attractive partner in a broader scheduling landscape.
The CFP’s management committee, comprising the conference commissioners from the Power Five along with Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, discussed the expansion in recent meetings. While no formal vote has yet been taken, the direction of travel points toward a larger postseason and a rethinking of how independent programs fit into it. Notre Dame, for its part, has continued to maintain independence while negotiating its own media rights arrangements, a model that has supported a level of autonomy in scheduling and branding.
The current schedule for Notre Dame includes high-profile series and marquee games that are already set in the coming seasons. The program has announced a home-and-home with Auburn starting next year, followed by games against Arkansas and Texas in 2028. Looking further ahead, matchups with Alabama and Texas are on the calendar for 2029. In a landscape where top programs frequently reorganize around conference affiliations, Notre Dame’s ability to align non-conference games with its broader strategic goals remains a key advantage—yet potential expansion could nudge that balance in new directions.
Another element of the expansion conversation is the broader revenue and structure implications. A 24-team field could potentially alter the value of conference championship games, with estimates suggesting that eliminating some of these games could impact hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Conferences would need to adapt their scheduling and championship strategies accordingly, balancing the pursuit of maximum postseason inclusion with the realities of broadcast rights and market demand. The goal for commissioners has been to create a format that preserves competitive integrity while expanding access for deserving teams.
From Notre Dame’s perspective, a bigger playoff could bring several benefits. The top eight seeds, under some proposed models, would receive first-round byes, while seeds nine through 16 would host opening-round games. In this environment, Notre Dame’s overall climbing trajectory and national brand could be advantageous, potentially aiding their path to postseason opportunities even in a crowded field. If a 24-team format had been in place last season, Notre Dame, which finished 11th in the final CFP rankings, might have qualified for the expanded field and hosted a playoff game. This kind of scenario underscores how the expanded framework could influence not just who makes the playoffs, but how the regular schedule is valued and pursued.
The question, of course, extends beyond this season. As college football moves toward a wider postseason, questions about autonomy in scheduling will persist. Notre Dame will need to determine how to balance the benefits of an expanded playoff with the realities of adjusting its schedule to meet the demands of a broader field. For Freeman’s team, this means continuing to prepare for its upcoming tests, including BYU, Navy, and Miami, while remaining mindful of how future postseason structures could reshape the path to glory.
In summary, the potential 24-team playoff expansion represents a turning point for Notre Dame’s football independence. The expanded field could simplify postseason qualification by increasing the number of at-large slots and by creating a more inclusive landscape across the season. However, it would also require Notre Dame to rethink its scheduling philosophy, likely embracing more frequent non-conference games against SEC and Big Ten opponents. As the college football landscape evolves, Notre Dame’s ability to navigate these changes—maintaining its brand, honoring its independence, and building a robust path to the postseason—will be tested in the years ahead. The coming months and years will reveal how this balance is struck and what it means for a program with a storied history and a steadfast commitment to independence.
Note: This editorial focuses on the strategic implications of a potential expansion and scheduling changes, without referencing external sources or original publication details. It preserves the core facts about current schedules, proposed postseason changes, and the potential impact on Notre Dame’s independence.
