Boise State AD Criticizes College Football Playoff Committee's New Seeding Rules

The College Football Playoff committee has changed its seeding format, moving from awarding first-round byes to conference champions to a straight seeding model where the top four teams in the final rankings receive byes regardless of conference titles. This shift has sparked criticism from Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey, who called the rule change the "Boise State policy," arguing it was designed to disadvantage programs like his. Boise State, which earned a first-round bye last year as Mountain West champions, would under the new system have to play a first-round road game despite being ranked ninth. Dickey’s criticism highlights concerns that the new rules favor major conference teams, reducing the influence and rewards for smaller programs. While the policy change was unanimously approved, including by Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, it raises questions about competitive balance and the future opportunities for nonpower conference teams. Boise State is slated to join the Pac-12 in 2026, but for now, the new seeding model marks a significant change in how playoff advantages are distributed.