Tennessee HC Josh Heupel. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
In just the past 30 years, we’ve seen the implementation of the BCS, switch to a four-team College Football Playoffs, move to a 12-team field and now, ongoing discussions about a further expansion. With college football changing so rapidly, coaches across the country are taking sides on where they’d like to see the sport go.
Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel hasn’t come out publicly with too many of his opinions on the matter. However, in a report from On3 and RTI: Low-Down co-host Chris Low, Heupel opened up on his opinion.
According to Low, Heupel said he prefers a move to a 24-team format. This would double the number of teams that currently make the event, and likely would position the Vols to be perennial participants.
NEW: Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel tells @Clowfb that he prefers a 24-team playoff format🏆
“The way college football is constantly changing, that probably makes the most sense.”
Exclusive: https://t.co/aL4kZfDNvn pic.twitter.com/gzRzy7npq2
— On3 (@On3) March 2, 2026
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This also aligns Heupel with the Big Ten’s preference for expansion. The rival conference is looking to go all the way up to 24, while the SEC would rather go to 16 teams in a 5+11 format.
This deadlock between the top two conferences meant no change to the number of teams in 2026. Instead, it’ll remain a 12-team bracket next season, just with some tweaks compared to the past two seasons.
Heupel has already steered Tennessee to a playoff appearance since his arrival in 2021. During the 2024 campaign, his team finished 10-2 with losses at Arkansas and Georgia. As the 9-seed, he took his team up north to Ohio State, where, despite a remarkable Vol fan turnout, the Buckeyes dominated. Ohio State would go on to win the national title.
In 2022, Heupel also finished 10-2, but in the four-team format. The Vols represented the SEC in the Orange Bowl.