Changes in College Football Playoff Seeding

This season, the College Football Playoffs have decided to implement a new seeding strategy that could change the landscape of the competition.

As reported by a source, the CFP has revised its automatic bid structure, eliminating the need for teams to be conference champions. The new model opts for a straightforward seeding approach.

This unexpected shift follows considerable scrutiny directed at the previous system, especially concerning the teams that benefitted from first-round byes. It seems that CFP executives took the feedback seriously and have made adjustments accordingly.

Initially, there were rumors that these changes would not take effect until 2026, when the current playoff deal concludes. However, it appears that this new setup is positioned to define the future of the 12-team playoff system.

A graphic shared by ON3 highlighted last season’s playoff field, illustrating the complexities and unfairness many felt were present.

News: CFP executives are expected to adopt a straight seed model for the college football playoffs this season. Report 👀

Here’s what it looked like last season:

Pennsylvania secured the coveted No. 5 seed, even after losing to the top-seeded Oregon in the Big 10 title game; otherwise, they would have faced off against winners of Clemson and Notre Dame in the first round.

Last year, the Nittany Lions had an easier time defeating opponents like SMU and Boise State, which helped them secure their bye.

Meanwhile, Oregon has enjoyed its fair share of success, recently facing off against the ultimate national champion, Ohio State.

While the final outcomes may have been similar, it’s clear that this year’s matchups could lead to a more thrilling and diverse set of games compared to last season.

It’s interesting to imagine how the playoff landscape might look in just six months. What’s clear is that this new seeding method aims to be a fairer and more realistic approach for determining playoff positioning.