The College Football Playoff is close to implementing a major change to its format for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. According to a person briefed on the decision, the playoff is considering a 5+7 model, which would give five automatic bids to conference champions instead of the original 6+6 format. This recommendation is being made by the CFP management committee, which is composed of the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick. The recommendation will now be considered by the CFP Board of Managers, which is made up of 11 university presidents and chancellors.
In addition to the change in format, the management committee is also recommending a policy that requires a conference to have at least eight teams in order to be eligible for one of the five automatic qualifying spots. The remaining seven spots would go to at-large teams.
These changes are a response to the collapse of the Pac-12 conference, which is currently set to have just two teams next season. The ongoing legal fight between Oregon State and Washington State and the Pac-12 over control of the conference’s decision and finances has left the future of the conference uncertain.
The CFP’s school presidents must vote unanimously for the 5+7 change to be approved. Despite Washington State president Kirk Schulz representing the Pac-12, it is expected that the recommendation will be approved.
The changes were discussed in a heated meeting of the management committee in Dallas on Thursday. The commissioners left the meeting less friendly and relaxed than in previous meetings, indicating the challenging nature of the discussions.
In addition to the format change, the CFP has named Air Force superintendent and Lt. Gen. Richard Clark as its next executive director to replace Bill Hancock.
The changes are not yet official, and many other issues, including revenue sharing and the television deal for next season, remain to be resolved. Discussions about the television deal include the possibility of streaming-only options, and ESPN has the right to match bids for the first- and second-round games in 2024 and 2025.
Overall, the potential format change and other issues surrounding the CFP indicate a period of significant change and uncertainty for college football.