Overview

• The CFP committee pressed reset on its 2026 expansion discussions after ACC and Big 12 pushback derailed initial automatic-qualifier proposals.
• Conference leaders remain deadlocked over scheduling, with the Big Ten set on nine league games while the SEC retains an eight-game slate.
• The ‘5+11’ model, which would award five conference champions automatic bids and allocate 11 at-large spots, is emerging as the leading option.
• SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is pushing for strength-of-schedule metrics to carry greater weight in playoff selections.
• Rich Clark, chair of the CFP committee, has pledged to finalize the new format by December 1, 2025.