Add Brian Kelly to the list of supporters for expanding the College Football Playoff.

The Notre Dame head coach senses "an appetite to begin dialogue" to increase the playoff field, according to ESPN's Dan Murphy. He believes an eight-team format that would include all Power 5 conference champions is the best option.

"(That) opens up much more opportunities for at-large (berths)," Kelly said. "We're forcing out a conference champion. We're forcing out champions in this CFP."

The Fighting Irish finished 12-0 in the regular season, earning the No. 3 ranking and a matchup with Clemson in the Cotton Bowl. It's the school's first appearance in the new CFP system's five-year history.

Kelly cited multiple undefeated teams outside the Power 5 as the primary reason there's been more talk about playoff expansion.

"We have a way of doing that to things when Notre Dame is involved," he said.