The College Football Playoff continues to expand based on new plans to reach 24 teams and ESPN’s Rece Davis is the latest to bash the college football idea.
The “ESPN College GameDay” host isn’t the only one that fears what could happen to college football with more postseason expansion. Davis clearly indicated recently that more teams in the CFP would certainly devalue the regular season.
MORE: Brendan Sorsby is wasting his time battling the NCAA
However, that isn’t stopping the CFP Committee from moving forward with its 24-team expansion plans. As it stands, college football just went through another season with 12 teams competing for the national title.
Rece Davis is the latest to share serious concerns about a 24-team playoff.https://t.co/StgVF7ZD3a
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 23, 2026
Meanwhile, the 2025-26 season marked one of the most dramatic in the sport’s history after the Indiana Hoosiers won their first championship. Star quarterback Fernando Mendoza captured the Heisman Trophy and became the first pick in the NFL Draft.
ESPN host bashes expanded CFP format plan
Davis’ involvement with “College GameDay” and as a broadcaster for ESPN certainly makes his opinion credible. Although, it’s unlikely that his thoughts will sway the CFP Committee from changing their expansion plans.
“I’m not saying the games themselves, once we get to 24, won’t be entertaining, won’t be good, won’t be worth watching… I’m not saying that. Of course they will,” the ESPN announcer said recently.
“We could go to 176, and I’d watch. I’m saying the expense is too high for the regular season. It’s not going to do what the coaches and athletics directors want to do long-term.
“It’s not going to save anybody’s job long term. Sooner or later, making the playoff won’t be enough. You’ll have to win in the playoff. That’s where we are. It’s what we have in pro sports.”
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Davis’ thoughts certainly aren’t unique though considering the backlash from other college fans recently. It’s clear that more isn’t always better when it comes to inviting extra teams to major tournaments.
Georgia star Kendall Milton scores a touchdown against Ohio State during the College Football Playoff.
The NCAA is figuring that out quickly after March Madness plans revealed its own expansion for the future. The 68-team college basketball field is set to increase to a 76-team field starting in 2027.
However, until fans stop watching the games it creates a situation where there’s no need for the leagues to alter their expansion plans. The added teams generate more advertising and television money across the board and get other fanbases involved.
Last season marked significant CFP drama with Notre Dame being left out of the postseason despite many pleas from the school. The Fighting Irish would’ve certainly been included in an expanded 24-team playoff format, though.
