The Lowdown on the CFP Denying Two Power 5 Conferences a Spot
What's Going Down with the Fighting Irish?
Potential Exclusion of Two Power 5 Conferences from College Football Playoff Competition
Hey there, here's the lowdown on your favorite college football teams getting left out of the big leagues, the College Football Playoff (CFP)!
The Shift Towards Straight Seeding and Ranking-Based Selection (2025 Style)
Starting from 2025, the CFP execs are going for a straight seeding approach, giving byes to the top four dogs regardless of their conference championship status. While the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams make the cut, this ranking-focused selection process means that some Power 5 conference champions or teams could find themselves on the sidelines if they don't stack up against their counterparts from other conferences or even Group of Five teams that are on fire[1].
The 12-Team Playoff Format: Conference Champions vs. At-Large Spots
With the 12-team playoff format kicking off in the 2024-25 season, it's gonna be six of the one and six of the other – automatic bids for the top-ranked conference champions (Power 5 or Group of 5) and six at-large bids for anybody else ranked high. However, if two Power 5 conferences are struggling and their champions or teams don't rank so hot nationally, goodbye playoff spot! If other conferences' champions and at-large teams are rulebreakers, they might just score the victory[2].
Power 5 Conferences’ Own Bickerin’ and Fairness Fight
In the past, the SEC and Big Ten wanted guaranteed spots, but stinkin' backlash and fairness issues led to a preference towards formats like a '5+11' model (five automatic bids plus 11 at-large teams) that focus on merit, not guarantees. This approach means that some traditional bigwigs might not make the cut if their teams don't hold up to national ranking competition[3][4].
In short:Seeing as the CFP is zeroing in on a selection system that leans heavily on national rankings and merit-based at-large bids – with less emphasis on automatic qualifications – it ain't out of the question that the playoff could bench champions from two Power 5 conferences if their teams just can't keep up with the Joneses[1][2][3][4]. Keep an eye on those rankings, folks!
In light of the College Football Playoff's (CFP) shift towards a rankings-based selection process, there is a possibility that champions from two Power 5 conferences may not qualify for the playoff if their teams are not competitive enough compared to teams from other conferences or Group of Five teams that are on a roll.[1][2][3][4] This system prioritizes national rankings and merit-based at-large bids, moving away from automatic qualifications for Power 5 conferences.[1][2][3][4]
