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Before Texas A&M's Week 7 home game against The Citadel on Saturday afternoon, reports from several media sources, including ESPN, indicated that the current 12-team College Football Playoff is likely to grow to a 24-team format. This proposed expansion has not been well-received by many college football writers, analysts, and fans, which comes as little surprise.
For the Aggies, third-year head coach Mike Elko is facing significant scrutiny given the team's 3-3 overall and 1-3 SEC record, following a 27-6 road defeat to Missouri last Saturday. A comprehensive reset seems necessary, which could involve giving younger players more snaps on both offense and defense. Additionally, redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed's ongoing struggles suggest that backup quarterback Brady Hart should see playing time.
Earlier this year, Mike Elko was asked about expanding the playoff to 24 teams and jokingly told USA TODAY writer Blake Toppemeyer that job security for most Power Four coaches wouldn't be a concern if the field expands.
Elko stated to Toppemeyer, 'The head coach who wants to keep his job, (hell say) the right size is 45 teams or however many we can possibly fit in it, because (making the playoff) is becoming such a marker for the premier programs, which is, either you're in, or you're out.'
And if you're out, you failed.
Texas A&M obviously isn't making the CFP this season, but looking ahead, if the 24-team structure passes, let the chaos ensue.
For the Aggies, how will this affect their offseason approach to regular-season performance? That remains to be seen, but a few guesses can be offered for fun: 8-4 teams, rejoice! If the 24-team structure is implemented, 7 SEC schools, 6 Big Ten schools, 5 Big 12 schools, 4 ACC schools, Notre Dame, and one Group of 6 program would earn bids.
If the Aggies finish 8-4 next season, which is highly possible if Mike Elko lands an NFL-level quarterback from the transfer portal, secures nearly all 26 commits in the No. 1-ranked 2027 recruiting class, and fixes the pass rush.
Texas A&M's 2027 schedule features road trips vs. Texas, Vanderbilt, Florida, and Auburn, and as we've seen in years past, bad seasons happen, and recruiting success plus transfer portal talent can flip things back the other way.
If an 8-4 record is all it takes to finish as a top-7 team in the SEC, the Aggies should be in a great position.
The transfer portal dates and coaching hires will be affected. Nearly every Power Four team looks to the transfer portal to add starter-level talent after every season, and with the current dates being January 4-13, and a 24-team format, it would end in late January and closer to February, likely leading to tougher decisions for players who opt to leave, especially those participating in the playoff.
Mike Elko likely isn't going anywhere unless there's another collapse in 2027, but the pressure is on to manage the roster in-season if the Aggies make the expanded playoff, while handling the transfer portal and still preparing for games.
This will affect every coach, but Elko and several other SEC coaches opposed the change for a reason.
This is all speculation given the 'expected' status, and updates will be provided if this format comes to fruition.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: How Texas A&M would be affected by a 24-team CFP format.
Originally reported by yahoo.