{
  "id": 15553667,
  "title": "Insider ponders Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State leaving Big Ten over 24-team expansion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/insider-ponders-ohio-state-michigan-penn-state-leaving-big-ten-over",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-19T03:33:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/insider-ponders-ohio-state-michigan-033332446.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "College football insider Dan Wetzel proposed a bold idea on Sunday, suggesting that Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State consider leaving the Big Ten to become independent before the playoff field expands to 24 teams. Wetzel criticized the playoff system, stating that \"college athletics is terrible at seeing problems around the corner\" and that the 24-team playoff is the latest example. He pointed out that Notre Dame, as an independent, enjoys the best situation in college football, with a near-100 percent guarantee to make the playoff and complete control over its scheduling and media value. Wetzel believes the Big Ten's 18-team conference is bloated and that the three Big Ten powers have the potential to create a new scheduling agreement that could increase their media revenue by nearly three times. Furthermore, they would have the freedom to select their own schedules. However, Wetzel acknowledges that finding 10 other teams willing to join them in this venture, particularly in close proximity, would be a significant challenge.",
  "summary": "The College Football Playoff race watched Ohio State football strengthen its chances Saturday. Especially in a tight Big Ten Conference race . But one insider brought up a bold idea moving forward involving OSU, Michigan and Penn State. It involves going the independent route before the postseason field increases to 24 teams. College football […] The post Insider ponders Ohio State, Michigan,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Penn State loses Class of 2027 QB in flip to Boston College",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/penn-state-loses-class-of-2027-qb-in-flip-to-boston-college",
        "published": "2026-10-18T18:52:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}