College Football Playoff expansion debate continues with no resolution in sight

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — College football leaders gave every indication Sunday that they remain stuck in a yearlong debate about expanding the playoff from 12 teams to 16 or beyond.

Commissioners and school presidents met on the eve of the College Football Playoff title game, facing a Friday deadline from ESPN — the $7.8 billion bankroller of the postseason — to decide on changing or staying at the current 12-team model.

The debate boils down to two conferences, the Big Ten and SEC, that both want to expand but have widely different visions of how far expansion should go.

“I think that’s up to two people,” American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti said.

He was speaking of Tony Petitti of the Big Ten and Greg Sankey of the SEC, who did not reach any agreement during the last scheduled meeting before Friday’s deadline.

“Still more work to do,” Pettiti said as he quickly made his way toward an escalator at the Miami Beach hotel where the meeting was held. “One-hundred percent, we’re still working.”

The Miami-Indiana final Monday night will mark the end of the current cont...