When it comes to the biggest debate in college football right now—postseason expansion—one legendary coach is digging in his heels. Phillip Fulmer, the mastermind behind Tennessee's 1998 national championship, isn't exactly cheering for a bigger College Football Playoff.

In a recent chat with the Knoxville News Sentinel ahead of his annual golf classic, the former Volunteers head coach made his stance crystal clear. While the college football world buzzes about expanding the playoff, Fulmer thinks there's a limit to how big is too big.

"I don't know what they're going to do," Fulmer said, nodding to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey's push for a 16-team format. "I think that's a good number." But when the conversation shifts to 24 teams? That's where Fulmer draws the line. "If you go to 24, you might as well let everybody in because you're almost taking the whole top 25. I wouldn't like that."

It's a bold take from a coach who once dominated the college football landscape—and it's not because he's against change entirely. Fulmer admits he wasn't always a fan of the playoff system itself. "I wasn't for any type of playoff back in the day," he recalled. "But after seeing it play out, I think it's a really great thing. So any playoff benefits a team that loses early in the season but gets better and better."

For Fulmer, the sweet spot lies in giving second chances—but not to half the country. As the CFP expansion debate heats up, his voice adds weight to the argument that bigger isn't always better in the world of college football.