Sources: CFP circulating new 14-team model to include 3 automatic spots for Big Ten/SEC, 2 for ACC/Big 12

[Auggie]

INDIANAPOLIS

In a format being socialized among major conference administrators, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive three automatic qualifiers into a 14-team field, with the ACC and Big 12 getting two each and the Group of Five’s best team qualifying as well. Such a model would feature three at-large spots to the highest-ranked teams outside of the automatic qualifiers.

Those briefed on the format discussed its details with Yahoo Sports Wednesday under condition of anonymity. They cautioned that the proposed model is nowhere near finalized and is not the only format option that emerged from a meeting last week of the CFP Management Committee, an 11-member group encompassing the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director.

However, this “3-3-2-2-1” format is being socialized among athletic administrators, usually one of the initial steps in the process of adopting a model. The format would start in 2026 as part of a new CFP television contract. In 2024 and in 2025, the 12-team field’s format is set: automatic qualifiers for the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large spots.

SNIP

In this 14-team model, there would presumably be two first-round byes. The additional playoff games in the bracket would, presumably, be played at the home field of the higher seed based on the current format. In the current 12-team format, the four highest-ranked conference champions earn a bye while seed Nos. 5-8 host seeds 9-12 in first-round games. Quarterfinals and semifinals are held at bowl sites.

MORE: https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-cfp-circulating-new-14-team-model-to-include-3-automatic-spots-for-big-tensec-2-for-accbig-12-231454030.html

Why? Because 14 I$ BETTER THAN 12.

[Brother Buzz]

1. Any news on what Pac-3 (or is it Pac-2) will be doing

[Auggie]

2. Maybe a playoff game in the Oakland Coliseum?

[ProfessorGAC]

3. 14 Is Greater Than 12

Not sure it's better, though.
I suppose that this is just another step toward admitting college football is just the minor leagues for the NFL.
15, 16 game seasons for college students. What could go wrong?

[Auggie]

4. CTE, and you raise an excellent point:

if this happens, and even in the 12 playoff game scenario, the number of regular season games played needs to be reduced by one or two.

Another thought (in the "what could go wrong" category): how many potentially high draft picks are going to risk injury by playing in "meaningless" playoff games? We saw several players sit out last year. I'd expect the same.

[jmowreader]

5. Cthulhu, eat me now

Dear College Football Playoffs:

Your 14-team playoff plan sucks. It will turn into three Big 10 teams, two ACC teams, two Big 12 teams, the best Group of Five team and six SEC teams - and no Independent teams, so Notre Dame, the most storied program in college football, will never be national champion until they affiliate their football team with the ACC like they did with the rest of their athletics department.

Do this instead.

Sixteen teams. No byes. Here's how they go in:
The team with the best regular-season record in college football
The SEC, ACC, Big 10 and Big 12 champions unless the team with the best regular-season record is a Power Four conference champion, and then the best remaining team from that conference
The conference champion of each of the Group of Five conferences
The team with the best record among the five Independents and the Pac-2
Five wildcards from any conference, with no more than one team per conference

And...all the teams from one conference go on the same side of the bracket. No one who isn't an SEC fan wants the national championship game to be a replay of the SEC championship, which has happened in the past.