Ahead of Texas A&M's Week 7 home matchup vs. The Citadel on Saturday afternoon, it was reported by multiple outlets, including ESPN, that the current 12-team College Football Playoff structure is on track to expand to a 24-team field, which has not received rave reviews from college football writers, analysts, and a majority of fans, which isn't surprising.
For the Aggies, third-year coach Mike Elko is under massive pressure amid the program's 3-3 and 1-3 SEC record, coming off last Saturday's 27-6 road loss to Missouri, needing a total reset, which should include younger players taking the field on both sides of the ball, while redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed's struggles have yet to improve, and should result in backup QB Brady Hart seeing the field.
Earlier this year, Mike Elko was asked about expanding the field to 24 teams and told USA TODAY writer Blake Toppemeyer, in jest, that job security for most Power Four coaches won't be an issue if the field expands.
“The head coach who wants to keep his job, (he’ll say) the right size is 45 teams or however many we can possibly fit in it,” Elko stated to Toppemeyer, “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 I'll throw out a few guesses 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 we'll keep you updated 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