College football is transforming rapidly, becoming almost unrecognizable from the game many of us grew up with. Whether these changes are for better or worse is subjective, but it’s clear that adapting while respecting the game’s traditions is essential.
One of the biggest shifts came with the expansion of the College Football Playoffs (CFP), which raised questions about the future of traditional bowl games. These games have deep roots, with the Rose Bowl first played in 1902, and their legacy is woven into the fabric of college football. Eliminating them wasn’t an option; instead, it was crucial to integrate them into the playoff structure in a meaningful way.
To achieve this, the CFP’s second round will now include four major bowl games: the Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, each of the top four conference champions will be assigned to one of these games. Specifically, the SEC champion will play in the Sugar Bowl, the Big Ten champion in the Rose Bowl, the ACC in the Peach Bowl, and the Big 12 in the Fiesta Bowl.
While McMurphy didn’t clarify how it would work if a different conference champion were ranked higher, he noted that the ACC and Big 12 were assigned based on proximity. This implies a flexible approach, which could accommodate a different conference champion should rankings unexpectedly shift.
Because of existing bowl deals & regardless of seedings, SEC champ will open @CFBPlayoff in Sugar Bowl & Big Ten champ in Rose Bowl. For proximity reasons, ACC champ will be in Peach Bowl & Big 12 champ in Fiesta Bowl
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 30, 2024