Eric Boggs
The changes to the College Football Playoff format for the 2025 season are both timely and much-needed. College football leaders have finally made the call to modernize the system with a straightforward, performance-based seeding structure. The decision, unanimously approved by CFP executives, eliminates automatic top-four seeds for conference champions and replaces it with true straight seeding—mirroring the selection committee’s final rankings, regardless of conference affiliations.
This shift reflects a broader understanding of the current college football landscape, one dominated by the Big Ten and SEC after years of realignment. The previous system, which awarded top seeds to the highest-ranked conference champions, often led to confusion and competitive imbalance. Just last season, Boise State and Arizona State received higher seeds and first-round byes despite being ranked ninth and twelfth, respectively—while more dominant teams were forced into tougher early matchups.
Now, performance on the field across the entire season will matter most. Although the top four conference champions will still receive the same $8 million payout as before, they will no longer be guaranteed a bye unless their final rankings justify it. That levels the playing field for powerhouse programs like Ohio State, where the path to a national title should be based on merit, not conference politics.
If the 2024 playoff had used this straight seeding model, Ohio State would have landed the sixth seed. Under that scenario, the Buckeyes would have had a rugged path to the title game—potentially facing Arizona State, Texas, Georgia, and Oregon. It’s a grueling gauntlet, no doubt, but one that feels fairer and more rewarding for teams built to endure the postseason grind.
The financial structure of the playoff also sees a small but important tweak. Each team making the CFP still receives $4 million, and another $4 million for advancing to the quarterfinals. However, under the new system, that second payout now goes to the four best conference champions regardless of whether they earn a first-round bye—another nod to balancing tradition with current realities.
This move is not just about correcting the missteps of the past. It’s also about laying the foundation for the future. While the 2025 format is now set, CFP leaders are still deliberating on the framework for 2026 and beyond, with Big Ten and SEC officials pushing for a 16-team model that would offer those conferences more automatic qualifiers than their counterparts in the ACC and Big 12. For a fanbase like Ohio State’s, which expects playoff appearances as the norm, that expansion could make navigating the postseason both more strategic and more intense.
While this latest adjustment might slightly reduce the significance of conference title games—particularly for Big Ten juggernauts like the Buckeyes—it ultimately sharpens the focus on consistent excellence throughout the season. It’s a format designed for teams that can sustain elite play, win tough games on the road, and navigate high-stakes matchups from September through January.
For Ohio State, it means every game counts, and there’s no hiding behind conference banners. Just wins, rankings, and a clear road to glory.
