(BCSNN) — The College Football Playoff (CFP) is adopting a straight seeding model for the 2025 season, eliminating automatic byes for conference champions and instead ranking teams solely based on the final CFP Selection Committee rankings. The decision, unanimously approved by the CFP Management Committee, aims to create a more merit-based postseason bracket following concerns over last season’s seeding process.
Under the new format, the top four teams in the final rankings will receive first-round byes, regardless of conference championship status. The five highest-ranked conference champions will still secure automatic playoff bids, but they will no longer be guaranteed a bye. This adjustment comes after controversy in 2024, when lower-ranked conference champions like Boise State (No. 9) and Arizona State (No. 12) received byes over higher-ranked teams such as Texas and Penn State.
Financially, the CFP has reached a compromise ensuring that the four highest-ranked conference champions will receive an $8 million payout, even if they do not receive a bye. This payout consists of $4 million for making the playoff and an additional $4 million for advancing to the quarterfinals. The revenue model is expected to change in 2026, when a new distribution system will be implemented, potentially altering how conferences earn financial rewards.
"After evaluating the first year of the 12-team Playoff, the CFP management committee felt it was in the best interest of the game to make this adjustment," said Rich Clark, executive director of the CFP, in a statement. "This change will continue to allow guaranteed access to the Playoff by rewarding teams for winning their conference championship, but it will also allow us to construct a postseason bracket that recognizes the best performance on the field during the entire regular season."
The shift to straight seeding is expected to create a more balanced playoff structure, aligning matchups more closely with regular-season performance. Discussions about further expansion to 14 or 16 teams remain ongoing, with the SEC and Big Ten playing a significant role in shaping the future of the CFP format.
