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Bret Bielema’s take on the College Football Playoff would only make life harder for the Ohio State Buckeyes

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 5:35 PM ET

Big Ten Football Media Days are underway in Las Vegas, Nevada—a change of location from their usual home in the Midwest. With media days here, it means the college football season is just around the corner.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will open the 2025 season on Aug. 30 with a major test when they host the Texas Longhorns. It will be a rematch of last season’s Cotton Bowl, a game the Buckeyes had to win on their path to the National Championship.

One Big Ten coach the Buckeyes will face this season is already pushing for a change to the College Football Playoff, which is entering its second year in the 12-team format.

Bret Bielema has a bold take on the College Football Playoff

Ohio State will travel to Illinois on Oct. 11 for what could be a tough road matchup. Illini head coach Bret Bielema shared his thoughts on the College Football Playoff on Tuesday, calling for an expansion to 16 teams—just one full season into the 12-team era.

“I hope it goes to 16 [teams],” Bielema said. “I’m not going to go Eli Drinkwitz—30 or whatever he came up with—but I think a bigger number is a better number.”

Illinois' Bret Bielema on College Football Playoff: "It's at 12 teams, I hope it goes to 16. I'm not gonna go (Eli) Drinkwitz & go to 30 (teams)" but says he favors more teams in playoff
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 22, 2025

Illinois is a program that sits in the middle to upper-middle tier of the Big Ten. Bielema’s push for a 16-team playoff makes sense, as it would increase the odds for a team like Illinois to qualify. They could very well be a top-16 team this season.

More teams in the playoff means more opportunities—but also more games and a tougher path for all involved. While it may open the door for more programs to participate, schools like Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama may not be as eager to expand the field further.

Ohio State won last season’s national title by winning four postseason games in the 12-team format. Expanding to 16 teams could happen eventually, but doing so this quickly feels unnecessary and premature.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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