New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- IRVING, Texas - College football's conference championship Saturday could give way to a different route into the national title race, with more teams reaching the playoff and more postseason games played on campus. But the agreement that would reshape the 2027 season has not yet cleared its final approvals.

The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal with ESPN to expand from 12 teams to 24 beginning in 2027, according to reports published Thursday. Commissioners were presented with the network's proposal that afternoon, but no vote was taken, Yahoo Sports reported, a distinction that leaves the sport between an approaching television agreement and an approved competition format.

Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg repor...