College Football Playoff to change seeding format in 2025

The College Football Playoff is changing again. The top four ranked conference champions received byes into the second round of the first edition of the CFP. Moving forward, a straight seeding model will be adopted, which will provide the four highest ranked teams a first-round bye regardless of conference championships.

The 2025 version of the CFP would’ve looked drastically different using this model. Last year, Penn State and Texas were ranked in the Top 4 but played in first round games because the Big 12 champion – Arizona State – and the Mountain West champion – Boise State – were given byes. Under the new rules both Penn State and Texas would’ve received byes.