newsweek
On Thursday, reports surfaced that the College Football Playoff is moving toward a deal to grow from 12 to 24 teams starting in 2027. The proposed change has drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns that a larger field could dilute the overall strength of the competition. Yet, not everyone is opposed; among the supporters is Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
During an appearance on Friday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," Freeman laid out his reasoning for backing the 24-team expansion. He acknowledged his perspective is shaped by his loyalty to Notre Dame. "Look, I'm biased because I'm opinionated towards Notre Dame," Freeman said. "Right, I'm not saying this is best for college football. Like, what do I believe is best for Notre Dame? And that's the more opportunities we have to get into the playoffs, the better."
Freeman continued, "So, I'm a proponent on expanding it. Twenty-four teams would be great. Now, it's probably not right to go to 64 or whatever the basketball the March Madness has, but I am a proponent of 24 teams because it's going to give Notre Dame football a better chance to get into the playoffs and probably keep our independence."
His stance is understandable given Notre Dame's recent experience. Last season, the Fighting Irish finished 10-2 and were ranked No. 11 in the final CFP rankings, yet they were excluded from the 12-team playoff field. Many viewed this as a significant snub, especially since Notre Dame had been ranked ahead of the Miami Hurricanes for much of the season. Instead, the Hurricanes made the playoff and eventually competed for the national championship.
Critics pointed to Notre Dame's schedule, noting that their two losses came by narrow margins to the then-No. 10 Hurricanes and the No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies. After those early setbacks, the Fighting Irish reeled off 10 consecutive wins, including victories over ranked opponents Pittsburgh and USC. However, it wasn't enough to leapfrog Miami in the playoff race. Following the snub, Notre Dame opted out of a bowl game, as their focus had been on reaching the CFP.
Some analysts, including college football commentator Joel Klatt, criticized Notre Dame's decision, arguing that it deprived players—especially those in their final year of eligibility—of a chance to compete in a meaningful final game and hindered the development of younger players.
While last season's playoff exclusion may shed light on Freeman's support for expansion, he also stressed the significance of Notre Dame maintaining its independence. The university has been independent for most of its history since 1887, with the exception of the 2020 season when it played in the ACC due to the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, Notre Dame and the UConn Huskies are the only independent teams in NCAA Division I FBS; UConn has been independent since 2020.
Key Analysis
Freeman's comments highlight a strategic calculation: a larger playoff field could provide more paths for Notre Dame to qualify while preserving its independent status. The coach's transparency about his Notre Dame-first mindset offers insight into the pressures and priorities shaping college football's evolving postseason landscape.
Originally reported by newsweek.