The first edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff left a lot to be desired. The CFP management committee heard those complaints and has reformatted the playoff in a way that could make it much more enjoyable.
College football playoff moves to straight seeding model
Starting in the 2025-26 season, the CFP will move to a straight seeding model. Last year, the top four seeds were reserved for the four highest-ranked conference champions. It allowed the No. 9 and No. 12 teams in the CFP rankings a top-four seed and a bye game, and both were knocked off in the first game.
With the straight seeding model, the 2024-25 CFP would have Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Penn State in the top four, removing Arizona State and Boise State, which lost in the first round. No. 1 Oregon and No. 2 Georgia also lost their first games, so it may not be a total fix, but the games in the first week of the playoffs are less likely to be blowouts with the new format.
Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Penn State dismantled their opponents, and only Clemson's game against Texas showed any fight, albeit not much. It also allows independent schools like Notre Dame to earn a top-four seed.
On average, the SEC and Big Ten will more often benefit from the new format. It leaves open the possibility that multiple programs from the same conference earn a bye game, and the SEC and Big Ten have pulled away from the ACC and Big 12 over the last decade with no signs of slowing down.