The 12-team playoff bracket is on the way next year, marking a significant expansion from the current four-team format. This expansion aims to provide more teams with the opportunity to compete for the national championship.
How CFP Teams Are Selected Under the New Format
The 12-team College Football Playoff field will feature the six highest-ranked conference champions, each of whom will secure an automatic bid. Things will have to reset as the Pac-12 has crumbled and is trying to rebuild. The top four teams in the rankings will be granted a first-round bye, advancing directly to the quarterfinals. This is designed to reward conference champions while still maintaining a competitive edge. The six highest-ranked teams that remain will complete against each other. This shift in selection criteria promises an exciting and diverse array of teams vying for college football glory.
Photo Cred: College Football Playoff
Where CFP Games Will Be Played
The lower seed in the first round will be the host venue. This decision allows teams to leverage home-field advantage. As the postseason progresses to the quarterfinal round, bowl games will take center stage. The introduction of bowl games at this stage amplifies the bowl. Moving into the semifinals, the location of the games will rotate among various bowls. The rotation ensures that different venues have the opportunity to host these high-stakes contests.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
The national championship will continue to be a sought-after event. The host site will be determined through bids submitted by prospective host sites. This bidding process enhances the national appeal of the championship game, turning it into a celebration of college football on a grand scale. As college football anticipates the implementation of this expanded playoff, fans and analysts are gearing up for a thrilling postseason that will redefine the landscape of college football. The dawn of the 12-team era marks a new chapter in the sport’s history, one that is sure to be etched in the annals of college football greatness.
How would the expanded College Football Playoff look like this season?
First-round games:
No. 12 Liberty at No. 5 Florida State
No. 11 Mississippi at No. 6 Georgia
No. 10 Penn State at No. 7 Ohio State
No. 9 Missouri at No. 8 Oregon
Quarterfinal games:
Oregon-Missouri winner vs. No. 1 Michigan
Ohio State-Penn State winner vs. No. 2 Washington
Georgia-Mississippi winner vs. No. 3 Texas
Florida State-Liberty winner vs. No. 4 Alabama
Semifinal games:
Oregon/Missouri/Michigan vs. Florida State/Liberty/Alabama
Ohio State/Penn State/Washington vs. Georgia/Mississippi/Texas
Championship game:
The Playoff championship game will feature the winners of the semifinal.
