• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

After Pac-12 Collapse, College Football Playoff Modifies Its 12-Team Qualifications

  • The CFP will allow five top-ranked conference champions and seven at-large bids.
  • The new format was approved in the wake of the Pac-12’s dissolution.
College Football Playoff
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, the College Football Playoff announced it had finalized a new 5–7 format for the expanded 12-team format, which will begin this upcoming season. The top five-ranked conference championships will receive automatic bids, with the following seven top-ranked teams receiving at-large spots.

The CFP had initially settled on a 6–6 qualification system allowing six conference champions. The original idea was to allow each Power 5 conference champion to get a spot while guaranteeing at least one Group of 5 conference champion to increase the possibility of parity. 

However, that setup became unideal in the CFP’s eyes after the collapse of the Pac-12—now, there will be only four power conferences. 

Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State and head of the CFP Board of Managers, called the change a “logical adjustment.”

The Pac-12’s remaining schools, Washington State and Oregon State, will now have only one path to quality for the CFP: an at-large bid. They’ve agreed to a football scheduling partnership to play games against Mountain West schools but have not formally joined the conference—so they can’t play in the Mountain West championship game.

The CFP still has several other details to iron out, including revenue distribution and a media rights contract.

Last week, The Athletic reported that ESPN and the CFP had all but agreed to a six-year, $7.8 billion extension to their current deal, though sources told Front Office Sports at the time that they were surprised to hear the news, and FOS was ultimately unable to confirm. Over the weekend, Yahoo Sports published news of an internal memo from MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher suggesting that no deal had been formally presented to the CFP to vote on.

CFP meetings will continue Tuesday and Wednesday.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Trump Push to End Quarterly Earnings Has Major Sports Ramifications

U.S. President Trump proposes moving to semi-annual reporting for public companies.
Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Jack Layne (2) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl.

UCLA Paid New Mexico $1.2 Million for Friday’s Loss: Payout Game Tracker

The Bruins weren’t the only Power-4 school to lose a buy game and fire their coach.
September 14, 2025

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Rose Bowl.
September 15, 2025

UCLA-Tennessee QB Trade Has Been Painful So Far

Iamaleava abruptly left Tennessee for UCLA this past offseason.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.
September 11, 2025

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
NFL Congress
exclusive
September 10, 2025

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.