On Tuesday it was announced that the College Football Playoff (CFP) Board of Managers unanimously voted to readjust the criteria for the new 12-team format which will include five automatic spots for the highest-ranked conference champions.
On top, of that the next seven-highest teams will be included in the playoff, determined by the CFP Selection Committee.
In this new format that will begin next season, the four-highest ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive first-round byes. The remaining eight teams will play each other by seed, with the higher-ranked team hosting.
The quarterfinals and semifinals will be a part of the New Year’s six bowl games, with the National Championship remaining at a neutral site.
No conference will automatically qualify for the CFP and there will be no conference limit on teams allowed in the playoff.
“This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” Dr. Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University and Chair of CFP Board of Managers, said. “I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.”
This new format differs from the original plan, which was to include the six highest-ranked conference opponents and the next six highest-ranked teams.
