The College Football Playoff is getting close to making some major changes to its format for next year. The organization is considering a 5+7 model for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, with five automatic bids for conference champions, instead of the original 6+6. This recommendation comes from the CFP management committee, which is made up of the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick. The committee is proposing these changes to the CFP Board of Managers, which is comprised of 11 university presidents and chancellors.
In addition to the format change, the management committee is also recommending a policy that would require a conference to have at least eight teams 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, which is currently set to have just two teams next season.
The recommendation for the 5+7 model will need to be unanimously approved by the CFP’s school presidents. While it is expected to be approved, the decision is significant and expected to have a big impact on college football.
The CFP management committee meeting in Dallas was described as heated by sources, with commissioners leaving the room less friendly and relaxed than during previous meetings. This indicates that the discussions about the format change were challenging and controversial.
The change to a 5+7 format would eliminate the possibility of Group of 5 conferences receiving two automatic bids in the 12-team CFP, a change that has been met with mixed reactions from different conferences. Overall, the 5+7 format is expected to bring significant changes to college football and the CFP.
Aside from the format change, the CFP is also facing other important issues, such as revenue sharing among conferences and the details of the television deal for next season. Additionally, there is a new executive director, Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, who will take over from current executive director Bill Hancock.
In summary, the College Football Playoff is on the verge of making some major format changes. These changes are expected to have a significant impact on college football and the CFP as a whole, with many details still to be determined. The next few years are sure to bring some exciting changes to the world of college football.
