Big Ten, SEC Rift Nears 2026 College Football Playoff Format Standoff

The 2025 college football season is shaping up with high expectations, especially for teams like Notre Dame, which has several key games that could impact their College Football Playoff chances, including matchups against Texas A&M, USC, and Boise State. With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this year and potentially 16 in 2026, the stakes are higher, but the risk of losing to an underdog or in a trap game remains significant for top contenders such as Alabama. However, the expansion plans face challenges, particularly due to disagreements between the SEC and Big Ten over the number of conference games, which may result in the playoff remaining at 12 teams longer than expected. This playoff format uncertainty could, paradoxically, benefit college football by preventing rushed decisions and allowing for further evaluation of the 12-team model. Meanwhile, several underdog teams from various conferences, like Memphis in the AAC and Louisville in the ACC, are seen as dark horses capable of disrupting the playoff landscape in 2025. These dynamics highlight a season full of competitive intrigue and potential surprises across college football.