The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee is considering significant changes to its seeding process for the 12-team playoff format. Discussions are set to address potential flaws in the current system, which guarantees top-four seeds to conference champions. The proposed changes could reshape the competitive landscape of college football as early as the 2025 season.
Conference champions’ guaranteed top-four seeds under scrutiny.
The first year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff has barely concluded its inaugural rounds, yet the structure of the seeding process is already facing criticism. Currently, the four highest-ranked conference champions automatically receive top-four seeds and first-round byes. However, this rule has led to controversial outcomes, with some lower-ranked teams benefiting from the system while higher-ranked non-champions are excluded from the same advantages.
For instance, Boise State and Arizona State, ranked No. 9 and No. 12 respectively, secured first-round byes in the 2024 season due to their conference championship wins. Meanwhile, higher-ranked teams such as Notre Dame (No. 6) and several Big Ten and SEC teams (ranked between No. 3 and No. 8) did not receive byes simply because they were not conference champions.
According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, discussions among conference commissioners and other stakeholders are gaining momentum to address these discrepancies. One proposed solution is to ensure that while the top five conference champions still receive automatic playoff berths, the seeding would instead reflect the overall CFP rankings, regardless of conference titles.
Unanimous approval needed for 2025 implementation.
For any changes to take effect for the 2025 season, they must receive unanimous approval from all CFP stakeholders, including conference commissioners, the CFP management committee, and ESPN, the playoff’s broadcast partner. The upcoming discussions are expected to focus on balancing the importance of rewarding conference champions while ensuring a more equitable seeding system.
“We should be open to getting [the seeding] right regardless of what that means,” one commissioner reportedly told McMurphy. “But protecting conference champions and securing a spot in the playoff is a must.”
Under the proposed changes , the four highest-ranked teams overall — regardless of whether they are conference champions — would earn first-round byes. This approach aims to better reflect the competitive landscape of college football and avoid rewarding lower-ranked teams with undue advantages simply for winning weaker conferences.
Potential impacts on the future of college football playoffs.
Criticism of the current system has been amplified by the blowout results in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. Fans and analysts alike have raised concerns about the competitiveness of certain matchups, which averaged a 19.3-point margin of victory. These results have led to calls for a more balanced seeding structure that prioritizes overall rankings over conference titles.
Re-ranking this year’s playoff field under the proposed system highlights the potential impact of such changes. Teams like Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Penn State, all ranked in the top four of the final CFP rankings, would have received first-round byes instead of Boise State and Arizona State. While the latter teams would still make the playoff field due to their conference titles, their lower rankings would place them in the opening round of matchups.
Additionally, the debate over how to rank non-conference champions like Alabama — ranked No. 11 but excluded from the playoff due to the current rules — has fueled further discussion. Critics argue that rewarding lower-ranked conference champions over higher-ranked teams undermines the integrity of the rankings themselves.
Looking ahead: Possible changes beyond 2025.
The 2025 season marks the final year of the current 12-team College Football Playoff contract, opening the door to even more significant changes in the near future. Beyond adjustments to the seeding process, stakeholders are also considering whether the playoff field should expand further. An expanded format could potentially address concerns about inclusivity and competitiveness, though it would likely require a complete overhaul of the current system.
For now, all eyes are on the upcoming CFP management meetings, where these proposed changes will be debated. As the college football landscape continues to evolve with factors like NIL deals and the transfer portal redistributing talent, the need for a fair and adaptable playoff system has never been more pressing.
The next round of the 2024 playoffs will kick off with quarterfinal matchups featuring Boise State against Penn State, among others. However, the looming changes for 2025 could mean that similar matchups in the future may look significantly different, potentially offering a more competitive and balanced postseason experience for fans and teams alike.
Balancing tradition and progress in college football.
While the focus remains on addressing immediate concerns with seeding and rankings, the broader conversation about preserving the essence of college football continues. Critics of the current playoff structure, such as Auburn-based columnist BMatt, have called for greater emphasis on tradition by hosting playoff games on college campuses rather than at neutral bowl sites. This, they argue, would reward higher seeds with true home-field advantage and capture the unique energy of college football atmospheres.
“By far, the best part of the first-round games were the atmospheres at each home stadium,” BMatt wrote. “It’s time to ditch the bowls, at least in regards to the playoffs, and reward the best teams with home games. College football belongs in Eugene, Athens, and perhaps Auburn one day.”
The push for such changes reflects a growing desire to modernize the playoff system while staying true to the traditions that make college football unique. Whether these ideas gain traction in future discussions remains to be seen, but they add another layer to the evolving narrative surrounding the College Football Playoff.
As the 2024 season enters its decisive stages, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the current playoff format performs under scrutiny. With potential changes on the horizon, the landscape of college football could look very different in just a few short years, shaping the way champions are crowned and legacies are built.
