CFP Meetings: Future of College Football Open for Debate
College Football Playoff leaders are actively debating the future of the sport’s format for 2026 and beyond. A 16-team model, with the five highest-ranked conference champions and eleven at-large teams, is gaining traction, but major hurdles remain. Discussions are centered on key factors,including metrics and strength of schedule,with Big Ten Conference leaders expressing concerns. The current 12-team model is still a possibility.News Directory 3 reports on SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey‘s desire for clarity on the selection process. College football’s future is uncertain. Discover what’s next as the CFP aims for a fall decision!
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CFP Leaders debate Future Playoff Format
Updated June 19, 2025
Asheville, N.C. — College Football Playoff officials are weighing options for the playoff format in 2026 and beyond, according to CFP Executive Director rich Clark. The discussions followed two days of meetings that concluded Wednesday.
Clark indicated that all possibilities are being considered for the future of the college football playoff, with no frontrunner currently established. The college football playoff committee is taking a fresh look at all aspects of the format.
A 16-team model, which includes the five highest-ranked conference champions and 11 at-large teams, gained support last month at the SEC’s spring meetings in Destin, Fla. While this model has garnered public support,it has also raised concerns among Big Ten Conference leaders. The future playoff format remains uncertain.
Previously, many athletic directors from both the big Ten and SEC favored a system with automatic qualifiers, guaranteeing four spots each, with play-in games determining the final participants. Though, some Big Ten sources have suggested they would only consider the 5+11 model if the SEC and ACC commit to nine conference games. The 16-team model is a point of contention.
Clark emphasized the necessity for the Big Ten and SEC to reach an agreement on the format.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has repeatedly stated his desire for more clarity regarding the selection process before deciding on a nine-game schedule.Recent meetings focused on metrics, including strength of schedule. A Google mathematician assisted the group, which included all 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete bevacqua.
According to Clark,the CFP is refreshing its metrics,some of which were established when college football and conference structures were different. He added that the changes are not dramatic but represent an effort to improve the selection process.
Clark also noted that the current 12-team model remains a possibility. The CFP aims to finalize a decision by the fall,with no intention of postponing the decision further.
“I don’t think they’re going to kick the can a second year,” Clark said.
The CFP also decided to incorporate sports wagering monitoring and will utilize player availability reports, similar to existing conference models, according to Clark.
“We’re going to take that model on,” he said.
Clark acknowledged progress but emphasized that “lots of space” remains for decisions. He stressed the importance of making the right decision for the next six years of the CFP format.
“I don’t know if there’s any hurdles they have to get over; I think they just want to make sure they get it right,” Clark said.
What’s next
The College Football Playoff committee will continue to evaluate options and refine metrics in the coming months, with the goal of reaching a consensus on the playoff format for 2026 and beyond by the fall.