Tuesday, March 10, 2026

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

The College Football Playoff is exploring potential format changes for next season, as well as 2026 and beyond. However, nothing has been agreed to yet.

Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The College Football Playoff’s annual spring meetings concluded without any major decisions about changing the format of the expanded, 12-team postseason bracket.

The CFP management committee—made up of FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua—met in Dallas Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning to discuss standard logistical and financial operations for the upcoming season, as well as ideas about how the Playoff could further evolve.

However, no big changes were agreed to this week, CFP executive director Rich Clark told reporters in Dallas on Thursday afternoon.

One idea that has seemingly had momentum this offseason is shifting to straight seeding, as opposed to the inaugural bracket, which gave the top four seeds (that come with first-round byes) to the highest-ranked conference champions. This past season, No. 9 Boise State received the third seed, and No. 12 Arizona State got the fourth seed.

That change and any other could still be made ahead of the 2025 season, as the CFP leaders are set to meet again in June. 

Ahead of this week’s meeting, a source told Front Office Sports that they expected things to remain status quo this year, before big changes come in 2026, since the CFP format for that season and beyond has not yet been set.

Other potential format changes in future years include more automatic qualifiers for the Big Ten and SEC, expanding to 14 or 16 teams, and more on-campus home games.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Teams Waste No Time Striking Early Deals Ahead of Free Agency

Many of the top available free agents are quickly striking new deals.
Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts during the second half against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Travis Kelce Return Delays Media Sweepstakes

The star tight end is expected to return to the Chiefs in 2026.

Dolphins Move On from Tua With Record $99.2M Dead Cap Hit 

The NFL franchise changes course, despite the hefty financial consequences.

NFL Teams Armed With Record Cap Space Enter Free Agency

An elevated salary cap and available talent will fuel robust spending.

Featured Today

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Nicole Silveira
March 3, 2026

The Tattoo Marking Membership in the Most Exclusive Club in Sports

For athletes, the Olympic rings tattoo is “about everything it took.”

Sun Belt’s Stepladder Format Is Producing Some March Chaos

The Sun Belt conference school has a chance at history Monday night.
Dec 18, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
March 6, 2026

Reggie Bush: NIL Era Wouldn’t Exist Without ‘My Story’

The former USC running back had his Heisman Trophy revoked for 14 years.
Saving College Sports White House roundtable
March 7, 2026

Inside President Trump’s Roundtable on College Sports

Trump said he’ll author an executive order to “solve every conceivable problem.”
Sponsored

Inside the Sports Experience Economy: How On Location Is Shaping FIFA World Cup 2026™ Hospitality

On Location is delivering premium, once-in-a-lifetime experiences at the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.
Jan 18, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Michael Zheng of United States in action against Sebastian Korda of United States in the first round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open at Kia Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit:
March 6, 2026

Columbia Tennis Star Says He Claimed $150K from Australian Open

It was unclear if he could do so under NCAA rules.
Mar 3, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Malik Thomas (1) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Juke Harris (2) defends in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena.
March 6, 2026

Men’s College Hoops Was Kalshi’s Most Bet-On Sport in February

The NCAA is once again asking Kalshi to stop using the term “March Madness.”
Former Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with fans before Auburn Tigers take on the Houston Cougars at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.
March 5, 2026

Miami (Ohio) AD Rips TNT Analyst Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Bias

David Sayler called the ex-Auburn coach’s comments “disrespectful.”
Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) is interviewed after the 2026 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome.
March 5, 2026

NCAA Challenges Trinidad Chambliss Eligibility Decision

The NCAA wrote the injunction causes “irreparable harm.”