With the Pac-12 Conference dissolving after this season, the College Football Playoff had to make a pretty significant change as the current format accounted for five Power Five conferences. And that adjustment has been unanimously approved.
On Tuesday morning, the College Football Playoff announced that it will be officially adopting a “5 + 7” format for the upcoming 12-team playoff, meaning that the five highest-ranked conference champions will get automatic bids to the College Football Playoff followed by the next seven highest-ranked teams earning spots in the playoff field as at-large bids.
“This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” Mississippi State President and Board of Managers chair Mark Keenum said in a statement according to USA Today.
“I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.”
This format not only accounts for the departure of the Pac-12, but it also ensures that at least one Group of Five team will make the College Football Playoff every season.
