Why the College Football Playoff Seeding Format Will Likely Remain Unchanged Next Season: Insights from Key Commissioners

ATLANTA — Changes to the College Football Playoff format might be difficult to achieve. Many conference commissioners believe that gaining support for seeding adjustments will require some compromises.

One of the biggest discussions centers around the rule that gives first-round byes only to conference champions. This rule has been highlighted as a potential area for change after the playoff’s inaugural year, but it needs unanimous support from the College Football Playoff Management Committee, which includes the 10 FBS commissioners and the athletic director from Notre Dame.

Commissioners from the Big 12, Mountain West, and ACC have not ruled out discussions but are hesitant to make changes so soon. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark expressed a willingness to talk but stressed his reluctance to sacrifice any financial benefits tied to byes, which amount to a significant $8 million. Each team makes $4 million just for advancing, with additional payouts for teams in the quarterfinals.

Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez also expressed caution, noting that changes after just one year could feel premature. Similarly, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips compared the playoff system to professional leagues like the NFL, where divisional champions receive automatic byes, suggesting the current system isn’t entirely unusual.

Talks continue about potentially re-evaluating seeding structures. For instance, if this season’s playoff format were adjusted, the top four seeds would have included Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Penn State, rather than the current top seed, which was Arizona State as Big 12 champions. Thus, discussions about seeding and matchups become increasingly relevant.

The commissioners plan to meet on Sunday, right before the national title game between Notre Dame and Ohio State. However, the meeting will be short and followed by a session with the CFP Board of Managers, which comprises university presidents from each FBS conference. There’s another discussion scheduled for February that may allow for more in-depth talks.

Looking ahead, any immediate changes face challenges. The 2025 playoff format is still bound by original governance policies established when the CFP began in 2014, requiring unanimous consent for modifications. A new governance framework is expected with the upcoming extended CFP deal starting in 2026, which could give more power to the SEC and Big Ten regarding future format decisions.

Ultimately, as college football evolves, so too will the discussions around its playoff system, with stakeholders navigating financial interests and sport integrity in a changing landscape.

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