College football’s postseason future continues to evolve and Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon is fully on board with the next big idea: conference play-in games and a 16-team College Football Playoff.
Mississippi State AD Endorses CFP Expansion and Conference Play-In Games
As commissioners from across the sport explore what the expanded CFP might look like beyond the current 12-team model, one concept gaining steam is the inclusion of play-in games within major conferences, particularly the SEC and Big Ten. These leagues are pushing for up to four guaranteed playoff spots apiece in a proposed 16-team bracket.
“More access, more meaningful games… it’s a great thing for college football.”
@zacselmon discussed the idea of CFP expansion & changes to @SEC Championship Weekend on #SECThisMorning!
@HailStateFB | #HailState | @PeterBurnsESPN | @ChrisDoering pic.twitter.com/liKbrqxXAp— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) May 9, 2025
Selmon, speaking with ESPN’s Peter Burns, voiced strong support for the idea, drawing comparisons to the success of the NBA’s Play-In Tournament and emphasizing the added value of high-stakes games late in the season.
“There’s been a lot of just intriguing conversations,” Selmon said. “We just had some meetings in Birmingham this week. It’s always great to be with our colleagues. Commissioner [Greg] Sankey’s just a visionary in the industry.”
Selmon emphasized the benefits of play-in games for both fans and student-athletes. “I think exciting competition is exciting competition, and I’ve always been a fan for access, but also for the fan bases, more play-ins,” he said. “You look at what the NBA has done and other leagues – having hope, having excitement late in the season – I love the concepts of just having more opportunities and also having some more things on the line.”
Beyond fan interest, Selmon sees the format as a boost to student-athlete motivation. In a sport as physically and mentally demanding as college football, especially in the SEC, more meaningful games could serve as a positive force in keeping players engaged.
“The level of competition in our league, and you think about the physical toll that games take on somebody’s body,” Selmon said. “Now, the mental toll that this league puts on your body … I think it helps for the student-athlete mindset, too, of having more things to play for late in the season.”
The proposed 16-team CFP format, first reported by Ross Dellenger, would allot four automatic bids to both the SEC and Big Ten. The ACC and Big 12 would each receive two slots, while one bid would go to a Group of Five conference champion. The remaining three spots would be filled by at-large teams selected by the CFP committee.
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The push for an expanded format comes at a time when college football is navigating sweeping changes. From realignment to new media deals and stakeholders like Selmon are clearly leaning into a model that rewards performance, increases access, and creates drama at every level of the bracket.
“Having more access, more meaningful games, more games with a lot of things on the line, I think it’s a great thing for college football,” Selmon concluded.
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