• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Calls for CFP Changes Grow: Seeding, Potential Expansion in Focus

The College Football Playoff is down to four teams, after the debut of first-round and quarterfinal matchups. Will changes be on the horizon next season?

Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman RJ Oben (9) during the second half at Caesars Superdome.
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The College Football Playoff is preparing for the first semifinals of its newly expanded, 12-team era.

After the debut of first-round home games and quarterfinal matchups played as part of New Year’s Six bowl games, the CFP is returning to familiar territory, as its first 10 editions were played among only four teams.

The Big Ten has been the dominant force in the CFP this year. After beating out all other conferences with four Playoff bids, the Big Ten still has two teams remaining. Penn State is set to face Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday, and Ohio State will take on Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday.

The SEC had the second-most teams in the CFP with three bids after Alabama was the first team left out, in favor of SMU. Texas, however, is the lone SEC school remaining, along with Notre Dame, which is Independent.

Now, with an all–Big Ten final a real possibility, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has started pushing for potential changes to the CFP’s structure next season. “I would hope there is interest,” Sankey told The Athletic while admitting he has “not had a lot of conversations yet about people’s interest in adapting.” 

This season, the CFP selection committee awarded automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions received first-round byes, even though Boise State was ranked No. 9 and Arizona State No. 12.

The CFP’s format is set for 2025 but not for 2026 and beyond. The CFP is governed by its management committee, consisting of 10 conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, as well as a board of managers, comprising 11 university presidents and chancellors. Those leaders would have to approve any changes.

Seeding in the CFP has been a controversial issue, especially with all four top seeds losing in the quarterfinals after securing first-round byes. “We had looked at history, you never meant pulling seeds from outside the [top] 10 really into the top four in this format,” Sankey said. “And that’s now happened. Those are learning experiences, and that informs adaptation. And we’ve got a responsibility to have what I would consider is a competitive and fair format.”

Aside from format changes, expansion could be on the horizon, too, as growing to 14 teams has previously been discussed.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Women’s Sweet 16 TV Ratings Dip 29%, Still Top Pre-Caitlin Clark Years

UConn wasn’t in the most-watched game for the first time.
Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; The NFL shield logo at midfield during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena.

NFL’s Global Ambitions Now Extend to Abu Dhabi

Three teams gain marketing rights to the United Arab Emirates.
Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; NFL Network personality Peter Schrager on the sidelines before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium.

ESPN Finalizes Deal With Peter Schrager

Schrager will appear across ESPN’s studio programming.

NFL Tush Push Vote Has Been Pushed

Owners table a vote on the highly debated quarterback sneak play.

Featured Today

Seattle Kraken

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Olivia Miles
March 31, 2025

Top WNBA Draft Prospect Opts For Transfer Portal Instead

Olivia Miles had been projected as a top-2 pick.
Paige Bueckers
March 31, 2025

Paige Bueckers Extends College Career Another Week

Bueckers advancing is a win for UConn, the Big East, and ESPN.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) guards William & Mary guard Bella Nascimento (5) during the first round NCAA playoff game at the Moody Center on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
March 31, 2025

William & Mary Nets Financial ‘Units’ for School After First Tournament Win

The school is the second-oldest university in the country.
Trae Young
March 31, 2025

Trae Young Is Latest NBA Star to Take On 7-Figure College Job

Young is the latest NBA star to join the college arms race. 
Mar 30, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4), left, guard Tahaad Pettiford (0) and head coach Bruce Pearl celebrate with teammates after winning the South Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Arena.
March 31, 2025

SEC Earns Record $70M in Men’s March Madness Units

The NCAA distributes payouts based on participation and prowess in the tournament.
March 30, 2025

Missing Madness: All No. 1 Seeds in Men’s Final Four, First Time..

The results show the impact of NIL and the transfer portal.