The College Football Playoff (CFP) field for the upcoming season will consist of 12 teams, with five conference champions and seven at-large selections. This decision was made after university presidents overseeing the CFP unanimously voted to adjust the format.
The change in the number of spots reserved for conference champions, from six to five, was influenced by recent realignment and the dissolution of the Pac-12 conference. This adjustment had been anticipated for some time, with a delayed vote last month at the Pac-12's request.
The original plan for the 12-team format was to include the six highest-ranked conference champions, with the top four receiving first-round byes, along with six at-large selections. However, with the Pac-12 no longer in the picture, the CFP commissioners recommended shifting to a 5-7 format.
No conference will have automatic access to the playoff spots. The five slots reserved for conference champions will be filled by the highest-ranked teams as determined by the CFP selection committee, ensuring representation from outside the traditional power conferences.
The remaining seven at-large bids will also be determined by the selection committee's rankings, with no restrictions on the number of teams that can come from the same conference.
Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State University and chair of the CFP Board of Managers, expressed that this adjustment is a logical step based on the evolving conference structures. He believes that this change will be well-received by student-athletes, coaches, and fans, and looks forward to seeing the new format in action during the upcoming postseason.
This upcoming season will mark the first time a 12-team playoff format will be implemented, following a decade of a four-team playoff system.
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