Starting next season the College Football Playoff will grow from 12 to 24 teams, a change that could reshape the future of Iowa football. University of Iowa and Iowa State scholars say the expansion brings a massive financial boost and a wider path to the national championship for the Hawkeyes and Cyclones.
Why the expansion matters for Iowa
Wayne Drehs, a visiting associate professor of practice at the University of Iowa and former ESPN reporter, told KCCI the move was “inevitable” and driven by money. The new agreement adds $1.7 billion over five years to ESPN’s existing $7.8 billion contract, bringing the total value of the playoff to $9.5 billion. With that cash flowing into the sport, schools must find ways to generate revenue to share with players, Drehs said.
Tony Moton, an assistant teaching professor in sports media and journalism at Iowa State, echoed the sentiment: “It’s all about the money, and there’s plenty of money to be made with more games.” The extra revenue could help Iowa programs fund facilities, scholarships and other resources that support competitive teams.
More bids, fewer conference championships
The 24‑team format creates 19 at‑large bids, meaning schools that do not win their conference can still earn a spot in the playoff. Drehs believes this will diminish the importance of conference championship games, which currently decide the automatic bids. “Once the potential financial windfall of a 24‑team playoff is far greater than the championship games, that’s the end of the championship games,” he said.
For Iowa, which is 0‑3 in Big Ten Championship games, and Iowa State, 0‑2 in Big 12 Championship games, the new system offers a realistic chance to compete for a national title without relying on a conference title.
Local fans can look forward to more excitement
Both professors say Hawkeye and Cyclone fans have reason to be optimistic. “If you are a Hawkeye fan, today is a good day in college football. Fans should be excited to have a team that year in and year out competing for one of those 24 spots,” Drehs said. Moton added, “I think there’s actually, in some way, maybe even more hope for teams that might not have been traditional powerhouses, like an Indiana or hopefully Iowa State.”
The expansion also means more games for fans to watch, though it will likely mean the final Big Ten and Big 12 championship games—scheduled for Dec. 5 and Dec. 4—will be the last of their kind under the current format.
What this means for the broader college football landscape
Nationally, the move reflects a trend toward larger postseason tournaments that generate revenue for conferences, schools and broadcasters. While some critics worry about the loss of traditional conference championship traditions, the financial upside and increased opportunity for mid‑major programs appear to outweigh those concerns for many stakeholders.
For Iowa and Iowa State, the expanded playoff offers a tangible path to national relevance, more exposure for student‑athletes and a potential infusion of funds that could strengthen their programs for years to come.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
