College Football Playoff Expansion: Key Meetings and Future Directions

Key Discussions on College Football Playoff Expansion

As the College Football Playoff (CFP) continues to evolve, important conversations about its future are taking center stage. The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua recently convened in Dallas to discuss pivotal changes, including potential adjustments to the seeding process for the 12-team playoff in 2025.

Seeding Changes and First-Round Byes

One of the primary topics of discussion was whether to alter the seeding criteria for the 2025 playoff. Under the current system, the four highest-ranked conference champions receive the top four seeds and first-round byes. However, there is a growing consensus that the selection committee's rankings should be the primary determinant for seeding, ensuring that the top four teams, regardless of their conference championship status, earn the top spots. This change would open the door for teams like Notre Dame, which competes as an independent, to secure a first-round bye as a top-four seed.

Impact of SEC-Big Ten Meeting

The recent SEC-Big Ten meeting has also had a significant influence on the discussions. Both conferences have expressed support for changing the seeding process, recognizing the need for unanimity in decisions for 2025. However, beyond 2025, the SEC and Big Ten are expected to have substantial control over the playoff format, potentially leading to a 14-team field with automatic qualifiers for major conferences.

Scheduling and Strength of Schedule

Scheduling inequities remain a critical issue, with the SEC currently playing eight conference games compared to the nine played by other conferences. The selection committee considers strength of schedule when ranking teams, making it essential to standardize the number of conference games across all leagues. Moving to nine conference games would provide a more uniform basis for evaluating team performance and ensuring fairness in the playoff selection process.

Future Expansion and Contractual Considerations

Looking ahead, the CFP is likely to expand to a 14-team field by 2026, with protections in place for conference champions and Notre Dame. The new contract with ESPN, valued at $7.8 billion, accommodates both 12- and 14-team models, with mechanisms to address further expansion if necessary. Key decisions regarding governance, voting procedures, and the integration of CFP bowls into the next six-year deal are expected to be finalized in upcoming meetings.

What’s Next?

While no major decisions impacting the 2025 playoff are expected immediately, the groundwork is being laid for significant changes in the coming years. The next major in-person meeting, scheduled for April in Dallas, will likely address these issues in greater detail, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the competitiveness and fairness of the College Football Playoff.