College Football Playoff Adopts Straight Seeding for 2025 Expansion

Starting with the 2025-26 season, the College Football Playoff (CFP) will adopt a straight seeding model, replacing the previous system that awarded first-round byes to the four highest-ranked conference champions regardless of overall ranking. Under the new format, the top four teams according to the CFP selection committee, regardless of conference affiliation, will receive first-round byes, while conference champions will still earn automatic bids but be seeded strictly by ranking. This change allows teams like Notre Dame, previously ineligible for a bye as an independent, to qualify for one. The decision, unanimously approved by the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame's athletic director, reflects the growing influence of the SEC and Big Ten in the playoff structure and includes financial concessions to ensure conference champions still receive significant payouts despite losing guaranteed byes. Fans and analysts have had mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a fairer system that rewards the best teams and others concerned it diminishes the importance of conference championships. The 2025 season will be the last with a 12-team format, as the CFP is expected to expand to 14 or 16 teams in 2026, potentially granting multiple automatic bids to Power Five conferences like the SEC and Big Ten.