College Football Playoff revamps seeding model for fairer competition

In the United States, the College Football Playoff (CFP) is implementing a significant change to its structure starting in 2025, following the challenges faced during the inaugural 12-team tournament. The previous system automatically granted the top four seeds to the four highest-ranked conference champions, regardless of their overall rankings. This led to various competitive discrepancies, as demonstrated last season when all four teams given bye weeks due to this ranking system ended up losing their first games in the playoffs. The CFP management committee evaluated the tournament's performance and determined that a straight seeding model would more accurately reflect teams' overall performances throughout the regular season. This new format will not only preserve the guaranteed playoff access for conference champions but also enhance competitiveness among teams by rewarding their consistent regular-season performance. Under the new format, the top four teams will be allotted first-round byes. Independent teams like Notre Dame will also find themselves eligible for top seeds if they finish ranked in the top four. The decision represents an effort by CFP to prioritize fairness and competitiveness in college football, which could have significant implications for future tournaments and the overall structure of college football playoffs. The change intends to level the playing field and generate more excitement during postseason play, engaging fans and stakeholders within the sport.