Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz and Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert have publicly questioned the relevance of conference affiliations in college football as the College Football Playoff (CFP) expands to 24 teams in 2027. Their remarks come as the final Power 4 conference championship games are set to be eliminated next season, marking a significant shift in the sport’s structure.
Drinkwitz raised concerns during a press conference on December 5, asking why conferences would still matter if teams no longer compete for conference titles. "Why are we associated with conferences anymore if we’re not playing for a conference championship?" he said. "If the point now is just to be playing into a sea of 24, are we just doing it for scheduling affiliation?"
Dickert echoed similar sentiments, stating, "To not say we’re going to have conference champions, why do we have conferences? I know there’s a lot of things that go into all that. Just feels odd."
The 24-team playoff format, approved by the CFP Board of Managers, will replace the current 12-team playoff starting in the 2027 season. Under the new system, conference championship games will no longer serve as automatic qualifiers for the playoff, rendering them obsolete for playoff purposes. The final Power 4 conference title games—SEC, Big 12, ACC, and Big Ten—are scheduled for December 5, with the last of these contests marking the end of an era.
Conference Realignment and Travel Concerns
Drinkwitz also highlighted the logistical challenges of conference affiliation, particularly for teams outside traditional power structures. "Is there a reason to be flying all the way across the country to play games from a national perspective?" he asked. His comments reflect broader concerns about travel costs and scheduling in an era of expanded playoffs and shifting conference alignments.
The SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 have all faced recent realignment shifts, with the Pac-12 folding after the 2023 season and the Big Ten expanding to include teams as far west as Los Angeles and as far east as New Jersey. The ACC now stretches from Boston to Palo Alto, while independent Notre Dame avoids the risks associated with conference title games.
Reactions and Broader Implications
While some coaches and administrators have expressed skepticism about the future of conferences, others argue that the benefits of affiliation—such as strength of schedule and automatic playoff bids—remain valuable. The Power 4 conferences have historically provided a pathway to the playoff for conference champions, but the expansion to 24 teams removes that guarantee.
The shift also raises questions about the role of Notre Dame, which has long operated as an independent and would not face the same playoff risks as conference-affiliated teams. Dickert acknowledged the dual-edged nature of the change, noting that it could benefit or hinder teams depending on their circumstances.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The elimination of conference championship games follows years of debate over the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era, which has transformed player compensation and transfer dynamics. Coaches like Drinkwitz have criticized the broader economic shifts in college athletics, including the rise of the transfer portal and the increasing financial stakes for programs.
As the CFP expansion moves forward, the sport faces an uncertain future where the traditional structures of conferences and championships may no longer align with the new playoff format. The comments from Drinkwitz and Dickert underscore the ongoing tension between tradition and innovation in college football.