College Football Playoff Leaders Weigh Expansion and Seeding Changes

Discussions center on potential 14- or 16-team formats and adjustments to the seeding process, with key decisions expected in upcoming meetings.

College Football Playoff (CFP) leaders are exploring possible expansion to 14 or 16 teams, alongside changes to the seeding process for the current 12-team playoff format.
A proposed 'straight seeding' model would prioritize the top four teams ranked by the selection committee for first-round byes, replacing the current system favoring conference champions.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark emphasized that discussions are ongoing, with data models being developed to evaluate potential impacts before decisions are made.
Concerns were raised about the implications of expansion, including the strain on student-athletes and the potential extension of the football calendar into late February or March.
The CFP management committee is set to reconvene in March to review data and further deliberate, with any changes requiring unanimous agreement from all 11 members.