College football has always been more than just a sport—it’s a cultural institution rooted in tradition and regional pride. Yet, the sport has undergone a profound transformation, as illustrated by the changes to the College Football Playoff (CFP) and bowl structures.
The introduction of a 12-team playoff system signals a departure from the longstanding norms that previously defined the postseason, replacing a simpler era with a more commercially driven, competitive framework.
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This shift raises questions about what college football stands to gain—or lose—as it adapts to the demands of modern audiences. How does the expanded format reflect broader trends in the sport? And perhaps more importantly, does this evolution strengthen or dilute the traditions that have sustained college football’s identity for a decade?
Under the new format, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded 1–4 and receive a first-round bye.
Seeds 5–12 faced off in first-round matchups hosted by the higher-seeded teams, with No. 5 playing No. 12, No. 6 playing No. 11, No. 7 playing No. 10, and No. 8 playing No. 9. This expanded playoff system not only increased the number of teams competing for a national championship but also represents a significant shift in how college football approaches its postseason.
The quarter-finals featured matchups in the New Year’s Six bowl games, while the semifinals rotated among select bowls. The national championship location was decided based on bids from potential host sites, and Miami, FL, was chosen.
Since introducing the College Football Playoff in 2014, the New Year’s Six bowls have been integral to the postseason. For the 2024-25 season, on January 20, 2025, the winners of the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl faced off in the National Championship game.
This new format introduces a more structured playoff path, where bowl game victories now directly lead teams to the National Championship. Previously, the College Football Playoff and bowl games operated more independently, but under the updated rules, success in bowl games is required to progress through the playoff system.
Bowl game eligibility will remain largely based on a team’s performance throughout the regular season, consistent with how bowls have traditionally been decided. In the past, teams needed to secure seven wins to be eligible for a bowl, but as the number of bowl games increased, teams with a 6-6 record were also granted opportunities to participate. Expectations can be made if there are not enough eligible teams to fill all available spots, allowing teams with fewer wins to be considered.
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The expanded format offered undeniable advantages—more opportunities for teams to compete, greater national exposure, and a more structured path to the National Championship. But the changes came at the cost of eroding traditions that lasted a decade.
Is the 12-team playoff system a necessary adaptation to modern realities? Can college football maintain its connection to the values and traditions that made it beloved? Time will tell.
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Image of Ohio State Buckeyes kickoff 2007 by Kyle Kesselring on Wikimedia Commons
