Los Angeles, CA – After much debate and multiple rounds of voting, the College Football Playoff is set to adopt a new, expanded 12-team format for the 2024 season. However, recent developments in the Pac-12 have thrown a wrench into the plans.
The Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC have all made moves to absorb Pac-12 teams, altering the balance of power in college football. This has led to renewed discussions and uncertainty regarding the playoff format. The CFP Board of Managers is expected to vote on a move to a new 5+7 format, reducing the number of automatic bids for conference champions to five and adding an additional at-large bid.
The primary concern appears to be the potential impact on smaller conferences. The Group of Five conferences had initially agreed to the 6+6 format, but the changes in the landscape of college football have raised questions about the balance and access for conference champions.
One of the key issues delaying the decision is the representation of the remaining Pac-12 teams in the playoff. Washington State president Kirk Schulz has expressed concerns about the financial arrangements for Washington State and Oregon State in the new CFP contract.
Another consideration in the format change is the impact on the regular season. The 6+6 model guarantees at least two Group of Five conference champions a spot in the playoff, but a 5+7 format would likely only include one Group of Five team.
By reducing the number of automatic qualifiers and creating more competitive first-round matchups, the new format aims to add more value to being a conference champion or a high-ranking non-champion, increasing the stakes for teams in the final weeks of the season.
The potential for more competitive first-round matchups is also a driving factor behind the proposed changes. A 5+7 format would likely lead to on-campus games in a win-or-go-home scenario featuring teams of comparable caliber, increasing the excitement for fans.
Ultimately, the expanded College Football Playoff aims to change the way the national title race is discussed and add importance to the regular season. Despite the ongoing debates and growing pains, the decision to move forward with a 5+7 format for the 2024 season reflects the continued evolution of college football.