The College Football Playoff will undergo its most significant transformation since its inception. After widespread criticism of the 2024 format, it was announced that the field will see straight seeding in 2025. The old system sparked outrage when lower-ranked conference champions received byes over higher-ranked teams from power conferences.
Major conferences rallied behind a merit-based approach that would eliminate automatic byes for conference champions. After unanimous approval, the changes look to reshape college football’s postseason landscape.
College Football Playoff Sees Major Reform
On3’s social media post showcasing the 2024 playoff bracket has reignited debates about seeding fairness. The visual representation of teams like Boise State and Arizona State receiving top-four seeds despite lower rankings perfectly illustrates why commissioners are pushing for immediate reform.
NEWS: CFP executives are expected to adopt a straight-seeding model for this season’s College Football Playoff, @RossDellenger reports👀
Here’s how last season would’ve looked⬇️https://t.co/a533hB94GU pic.twitter.com/OJ398uEGSK
— On3 (@On3sports) May 22, 2025
The original 12-team format awarded byes to the four highest-ranked conference champions regardless of overall ranking. That system resulted in scenarios where teams ranked 9th and 12th received preferential treatment over higher-ranked programs that didn’t win their conferences.
Under the new straight seeding model, all 12 playoff teams would be ranked strictly according to committee rankings. The top four teams overall will receive first-round byes instead of the top four conference champions, creating a true merit-based system.
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has been particularly vocal about the needed changes, stating, “We’re in favor of going to a straight seeding where there’s no difference between rankings and seeing like we had this year.” His comments reflect growing frustration among major conference leaders.
The SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 also supported straight seeding.
Each team earning a first-round bye receives $8 million, and proposals have been floated to let the highest-ranked conference champions keep this revenue even without byes.
Financial considerations played a crucial role in negotiations. ESPN analyst Pete Thamel noted before the announcement that, “Unanimous approval could cost the others outside the Big Ten and SEC some money, and I don’t think they’re going to risk that,” highlighting the economic tensions.
The unanimity requirement expires after 2025, giving the SEC and Big Ten more influence from 2026 onward. Several commissioners have suggested linking any 2025 changes to longer-term agreements to avoid multiple format changes in consecutive years.
The 2024 format’s controversy stems from situations where Texas and Penn State, despite higher rankings, were seeded lower than Boise State and Arizona State simply due to conference champion status. This created competitive imbalances that straight seeding would eliminate.
KEEP READING: Pete Thamel Says ACC, Big 12 Have ‘Significantly Less Say’ in College Football Playoff Expansion
With changes coming in 2025 or are delayed until 2026, the major conferences push for true merit-based competition in determining national champions has been rewarded.
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