Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz says he backs Big Ten commissioner Tony Petiti’s plan for a 16-team playoff. Petiti is pushing for a format that gives the Big Ten and SEC four automatic spots. It would also involve play-in games for teams finishing third through six in the Big Ten.

The plan would give six Big Ten teams a chance to get in or play in to the College Football Playoff.

Ferentz made his comments at Big Ten Media days in Las Vegas and like the other coaches in the league praised Petiti’s leadership during the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.

Iowa opens the season at home on August 30th against the University of Albany.