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College Football Playoff seeding changes ‘unlikely’ next year, per ESPN insider
By Andrew Olson
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The College Football Playoff is two rounds into its first year with a 12-team field, and everyone has thoughts and suggestions for how it can be made better in the future.
One of the hottest topics of conversation has been the Playoff seeding format. The seeding differs from the CFP selection committee’s final rankings due to conference championships. The 4 highest-ranked conference champions by the committee were seeded 1-4 and received first-round byes.
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After seeing the top 4 seeds go 0-4 in the quarterfinals, many fans and media members are calling for seeding to follow the top teams instead of placing a premium on conference championships. ESPN’s Heather Dinich, however, says fans should not expect that change for the 2025 season.
“As far as changes being made moving forward, it is critical that people understand that in order for any changes to be made next season, regarding the seeding, or home games, or whatever it might, everyone involved in the College Football Playoff who has a position of power has to agree to it,” Dinich said during an appearance on Get Up.
“We’re still in a period where it has to be unanimous. So, we’re talking about Group of 5 commissioners – including the Mountain West, where you’ve got Boise State not only in it but with a first-round bye – conceding that possibly. I don’t think that’s going to happen, so my sources are telling me changes for next year (are) probably unlikely.”
ESPN's Heather Dinich reports that changes to the College Football Playoff for the 2025 season — including eliminating the requirement for the top-four seeds to be conference champions — are "unlikely." pic.twitter.com/88VC6O7kwH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 3, 2025
Dinich is ESPN’s leading reporter on all things CFP, so if her sources are saying “probably unlikely,” fans should not hold their breath for any changes to the format next season.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
