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College football coaches are trying to rip out a couple of its most sacred traditions. But they might have a point. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) board has recommended a playoff expansion to 24 teams that would scrap conference championship games altogether.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Watch What\u2019s Trending Now!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The main push, reported first by Ross Dellenger for Yahoo Sports, is about survival. Coaches want their players to face fewer hurdles. Think of conference title games like an extra, exhausting exam right before the final. By cutting them out, players stay healthier, and the sport can comfortably fit a massive 24-team playoff.<\/p>\n \u201cThe American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has identified the length of the college football season as a critical issue that needs to be addressed,\u201d the AFCA said. \u201cAs we modernize our game to better serve student-athletes, we have fallen short in structuring a season that concludes in a timely and sustainable way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Right now, the college football season drags deep into January, leaving players drained. The new proposal wants to pull the finish line forward. By scraping those conference title games, the sport saves a crucial week. The legendary Army-Navy game will still get its solo spotlight, but the rest of the schedule gets room to breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cExpanding the playoff is inevitable,\u201d New Mexico coach Jason Eck told <\/span>USA TODAY Sports.<\/span><\/i> \u201cGetting the season completed earlier is crucial for the future of college football.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n By 2026-27, the 12-team playoff may already feel like a temporary fix rather than the solution. Since 2024, the format has moved toward straight rankings, making conference title games less important. Now the focus is to include the best teams. Auto bids will still be given to major conferences and independent Notre Dame, but the direction is clear.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStructuring the season in this way will better support student-athletes by more closely matching the academic calendar and aligning with the single transfer portal window,\u201d the AFCA said. \u201cIt also elevates the quality of play during the most meaningful stretch of the season by removing unnecessary breaks and preserving competitive rhythm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n That change is already on its way with a 14-week regular season on the table for 2027. Even <\/span>Donald Trump-linked discussions in Washington<\/span><\/a> show how far this conversation has spread. The problem is, removing conference title games would take away some of the most exciting Saturdays. But now, it\u2019s come down to the choice between tradition and long-term stability. And right now, coaches want sustainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nFootball What coaches are saying about the 24-team CFP expansion<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n