An expanded College Football Playoff format that eliminates traditional conference championship games has prompted questions from coaches about the future of conferences. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz and Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert have both raised concerns about why conferences still exist if their championship games are removed from the postseason structure.
The comments come as the CFP prepares to implement a new format that could reduce the importance of conference title games. Drinkwitz and Dickert argue that conferences provide structure, rivalries, and administrative benefits beyond just playoff access.
Senior writer Nick Bromberg reported on November 11, 2026, that the debate highlights growing tension between playoff expansion and traditional conference alignments.
