CFB Playoff changes for 2025

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[djcon57]

The SEC/Big 10 Invitational begins

 

[SU68]

The SEC/Big 10 Invitational begins

If they have the highest ranked teams, so be it. Schools should earn their way into the seeding.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

And the regular season and CCGs just became even less important for the B1G and SEC. Ditto for the ACC and B12 top teams in the CCGs. If you are a lock there is no incentive to win, just like in BBall.

 

[Eric15]

Wait, does this mean that the conference champion doesn't get an automatic bid in the field at all, or just that they aren't an automatic Top 4 seed?

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Wait, does this mean that the conference champion doesn't get an automatic bid in the field at all, or just that they aren't an automatic Top 4 seed?

Just not a Top 4. So under this system last year Oregon, Texas, and Penn State had no incentive to even play/risk their top players in the CCGs as they were all Top 4 locks. SMU probably similar as they were a Top 12 lock and couldn't get into the Top 4, so no reason to risk.

Last year's format needed a tweak for sure. But this IMO is worse. Needed something in between.

 

[Chip]

Just not a Top 4. So under this system last year Oregon, Texas, and Penn State had no incentive to even play/risk their top players in the CCGs as they were all Top 4 locks. SMU probably similar as they were a Top 12 lock and couldn't get into the Top 4, so no reason to risk.

Last year's format needed a tweak for sure. But this IMO is worse. Needed something in between.

This will be just something they're reactive with every single year. If players start sitting CCGs, and attendance is reduced, then this will change yet again.

I think by about the year 2057 they just may get this right.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Wait, does this mean that the conference champion doesn't get an automatic bid in the field at all, or just that they aren't an automatic Top 4 seed?

P4 champions are still guaranteed a spot.

They're just not guaranteed a bye anymore.

 

[djcon57]

If they have the highest ranked teams, so be it. Schools should earn their way into the seeding.

How can you earn your way if the higher ranked team won't schedule you.

You think an SEC team is going to play @ Boise State?

 

[upperdeck]

You still are playing for a bye or home field. Whether thats worth the risk or not.

 

[Eric15]

P4 champions are still guaranteed a spot.

They're just not guaranteed a bye anymore.

That seems perfect to me. No complaints here.

 

[CbusCuse]

Just not a Top 4. So under this system last year Oregon, Texas, and Penn State had no incentive to even play/risk their top players in the CCGs as they were all Top 4 locks. SMU probably similar as they were a Top 12 lock and couldn't get into the Top 4, so no reason to risk.

Last year's format needed a tweak for sure. But this IMO is worse. Needed something in between.

Why would they have no incentive. Isn't the playoff seeding done after all games, including conference championship games? If so, they are not guaranteed a lock at top 4 right? They still need to perform in that game or risk being ranked lower.

 

[Eric15]

How can you earn your way if the higher ranked team won't schedule you.

You think an SEC team is going to play @ Boise State?

I'm not sure about Boise specifically (literally nobody goes up there), but IMO the SEC not scheduling difficult non-conference matchups is a cliche that isn't supported by fact.

This opening weekend just off the top of my head, Bama opens at FSU (that home and home was scheduled when FSU was elite), Texas plays at Ohio State, LSU plays at Clemson.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Why would they have no incentive. Isn't the playoff seeding done after all games, including conference championship games? If so, they are not guaranteed a lock at top 4 right? They still need to perform in that game or risk being ranked lower.

The Top 2 teams are not dropping to 5 because of a CCG loss. Most years the same case will be for the 3rd team, like last year.

 

[djcon57]

I'm not sure about Boise specifically (literally nobody goes up there), but IMO the SEC not scheduling difficult non-conference matchups is a cliche that isn't supported by fact.

This opening weekend just off the top of my head, Bama opens at FSU (that home and home was scheduled when FSU was elite), Texas plays at Ohio State, LSU plays at Clemson.

I didn't say SEC is not scheduling difficult non conf matchups.

Read my post again:"You think an SEC team is going to play @ Boise State?"

What does FSU, Ohio State, and Clemson have to do with Boise State?

You think FSU, Ohio State, and Clemson is going to play @ Boise State?

 

[djcon57]

That seems perfect to me. No complaints here.

They aren't guaranteed a home game either.

 

[javadoc]

The SEC/Big 10 Invitational begins

Didn’t watch last year, won’t watch this. Unless Cuse is in.

 

[sufandu]

I'm not sure about Boise specifically (literally nobody goes up there), but IMO the SEC not scheduling difficult non-conference matchups is a cliche that isn't supported by fact.

This opening weekend just off the top of my head, Bama opens at FSU (that home and home was scheduled when FSU was elite), Texas plays at Ohio State, LSU plays at Clemson.

It's true. The mid pack SEC often loads up on cream puffs, but the elite don't shy away from tough early games. Alabama under Saban regularly scheduled teams that were at least expected to be very good or elite. Georgia has been pretty good too. It seems they and Clemson have played early quite a few times.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

So it looks like the CCGs are ending and becoming AQ games instead. That fixes that issue.

Although in the B1G/SEC case hopefully it is just 4 vs 5 and not also 3 vs 6. The 6th best team getting an AQ would be awful.

Good news for us is 3rd in the ACC makes the AQ game. Easier than getting an at large as a Top 15 team.

 

[Offthedome]

I'm not sure about Boise specifically (literally nobody goes up there), but IMO the SEC not scheduling difficult non-conference matchups is a cliche that isn't supported by fact.

This opening weekend just off the top of my head, Bama opens at FSU (that home and home was scheduled when FSU was elite), Texas plays at Ohio State, LSU plays at Clemson.

You forgot Tennessee taking on Syracuse.