Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley has expressed support for expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, suggesting the change could benefit programs like his own. Scalley's comments come as discussions about playoff format changes continue across college football.
The Utes coach shared his perspective following Utah's game against the BYU Cougars on November 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Scalley believes a larger playoff field would create more opportunities for teams from conferences that have historically faced barriers to postseason access.
Current playoff formats have limited the number of participating teams, often leaving strong programs from outside the traditional power conferences on the outside looking in. A 24-team structure would significantly increase the number of automatic qualifiers and at-large bids available.
Scalley's stance aligns with a growing chorus of coaches and administrators advocating for expanded postseason access. The debate centers on balancing competitive integrity with inclusivity, as well as the logistical and academic implications of additional games for student-athletes.
