Overview

• The College Football Playoff (CFP) will use a straight seeding model starting in 2025, giving first-round byes to the top four teams in the final rankings regardless of conference affiliation.
• This change replaces the previous system that granted byes to the four highest-ranked conference champions, a format criticized after all such teams lost their opening games in 2024.
• The five highest-ranked conference champions will still receive guaranteed spots in the 12-team playoff field, preserving access for smaller conferences.
• The CFP management committee, comprising 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame's athletic director, reached a unanimous decision to implement the new seeding system.
• Financial guarantees of $8 million for the four highest-ranked conference champions remain intact, ensuring continued rewards for conference success under the revised format.