While the Big Ten got ready for Week 1, the College Football Playoff decided to drop a bomb going into the holiday weekend. Starting in 2026, the Playoff will expand to 12 teams, with the Big Ten getting an almost assured automatic bid for its conference champion. Nate Dickinson dives into everything this means for the conference, and it's not all great news. The Big Ten now could have weaker conferences stealing playoff bids with the new format even if it does increase the odds of getting in for each individual school. Notre Dame also could move into a conference with the new rules, but the Irish also have a better chance of playing in the postseason now than yesterday. It doesn't mean Notre Dame will be forced to make a move just yet.
Later, Nate goes over the changes in the Coaches and AP Polls and also gives his Big Ten power rankings after the first week of the season. Michigan jumps up into a College Football Playoff Spot in the AP poll, while Iowa falls all the way off the radar. Plus, Nate has Nebraska near the bottom-feeders in the conference after a couple less-than-impressive performances to start the season. Locked On Big 10 -- Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.
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