When you think of the future of college football, it’s hard not to imagine some major shifts coming down the line. College football has evolved dramatically in the last decade—look no further than playoff expansion, the rise of NIL deals, and the transfer portal. It’s safe to make a bet and say college football is always evolving and improving. But what if the next big change doesn’t reshape the structure—it completely changes the way we experience playoff college football? Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback and a college football analyst, may have hinted this change is possible and eventually might occur in the near term future.

On November 8, Greg McElroy went on the Dan Patrick Show to talk about how the future of college football may resemble the European soccer format. He shared his prediction that the playoff system could eventually expand into 24 teams, mirroring the structure seen in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout rounds. “I think we’re heading into further expansion…16 is most likely,” McElroy said.“People are going to look at it and say, ‘Alright, I want a home game in the playoffs. I like having a bye. Our fans want a home game in the playoffs.”

In other words, McElroy sees a potential future where college football isn’t just about the same top teams competing for National champions but an expanded field, similar to the 16-team knockout format of the Champions League. 

The UEFA Champions League is a prime example of how to balance high-stakes competition with inclusivity. Every year, the top teams from Europe’s best leagues battle out in a scary group before the real fun begins; the knockout rounds. However, even UEFA has done away with the original 32-team, 8-groups format after expanding the league stage to 36 teams. Now, each team plays eight games (6 in the earlier format), and all the teams are stacked in one big league-like table. How does it work? Of 32, the last eight go home- the first eight get a bye in the first round of knockouts, and teams finishing 9-24 battle it out quality for the round of 16. It’s all new and tricky, but imagine, such a thing in college football. 

As college football expands its postseason, the sport may lose some of its emotional intensity. The current format’s “Do-or-die” nature makes every regular-season game feel critical. “At some point, the idea of more teams makes the whole process feel less urgent,” McElroy explained. If a team loses 2 games, BOOM, out of the Playoff picture. We can easily determine which team is going to the playoffs based on their record. However, expansion is not that bad. It would open opportunities for teams. Those teams which are deserve to be in the playoffs but are not, because of 4 team format. By giving more teams a shot and increasing the chances for Cinderella stories, the change would be beneficial. This could lead to more drama, more storylines, and greater opportunities for small conferences to shine.

What does this mean for the future of college football?

So, where does this leave us? Suppose If McElroy’s predictions come to pass, college football could be on the cusp of something much bigger and exciting than we’ve ever seen. The road to the playoffs could become more complex, but it would definitely make playoffs worthwhile. Teams would have to fight harder to secure their place in the top 16. Knowing they could be just a few games away from a shot at a national title. And while this shift may be a blow to old-school merchants who loved the classic “Elite Four- team” format. 

As the playoff system expands, the format McElroy envisions—a hybrid between the current system. And something like the Champions League’s 16- teams knockout round—could set the stage for a new chapter in college football. Whether it’s 16 teams or somewhere in between. One thing is clear: college football’s future is all about expanding the opportunity without losing the magic that makes it so special.