The College Football Playoff (CFP) has transformed the landscape of college football since its inception in 2014. Initially, the playoff featured just four teams, with the top squads clashing in thrilling semifinal matchups. The winners then advanced to compete for the coveted national championship. However, after a decade of this format, the CFP is set for a significant change in 2024, expanding to a 12-team field. This shift comes on the heels of a controversial selection process that left many fans and analysts questioning the integrity of the rankings, particularly after the exclusion of an undefeated Florida State team last season.
History of the College Football Playoff
Before the CFP, college football relied on the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) from 1998 to 2013. The BCS determined the top two teams to face off in the national championship game based on rankings. However, the BCS was often criticized for leaving deserving teams out of the mix. The CFP was introduced to address these concerns, allowing for a four-team playoff system. Yet, as the years passed, it became clear that a four-team format was insufficient to capture the depth of talent across college football. Thus, the decision was made to expand to 12 teams for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
How does the new 12-team playoff work?
The new playoff format will feature a bracket-style tournament, ensuring that the excitement of college football reaches new heights. The top four seeds will receive byes, moving directly to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, teams ranked fifth through twelfth will face off in the first round, with the higher-seeded teams hosting the games at their home fields. This setup not only enhances the competitive spirit but also rewards teams for their performance throughout the season.
Here’s how the matchups will unfold:
First round
- No. 1 team (bye)
- No. 2 team (bye)
- No. 3 team (bye)
- No. 4 team (bye)
- No. 12 team at No. 5 team
- No. 11 team at No. 6 team
- No. 10 team at No. 7 team
- No. 9 team at No. 8 team
The winners from the first round will then advance to the quarterfinals, which will take place at neutral sites. The excitement continues as the winners of these matchups will move on to the semifinals, ultimately leading to the national championship game.
College Football Playoff rules 2024
The structure of the 12-team playoff is designed to ensure fairness and inclusivity. The playoff will consist of 12 teams, with the top four conference champions earning automatic bids. The remaining eight spots will be filled by a combination of at-large bids and the highest-ranked remaining conference champions, as determined by the CFP selection committee. This new format guarantees that at least one “Group of 5” team will make the playoffs each year, providing opportunities for teams outside the traditional “Power 5” conferences to shine on a national stage.
Teams will be ranked based on their performance in the weekly College Football Playoff rankings, which will be released throughout the season.
College Football Playoff dates 2024
With the expansion of the playoff, the number of postseason games will increase dramatically from three to eleven. The schedule will be packed with exciting matchups, starting with the first round of playoff games, which will be held on December 20-21. The quarterfinals will take place around New Year’s Day, followed by the semifinals in the second week of January. This new timeline pushes the national championship game to January 20, marking the latest date for the title clash in CFP history.
Here’s a quick look at the key dates for the 2024 College Football Playoff:
| Game | Date |
| First round | Dec. 20-21 |
| Fiesta Bowl (Quarterfinals) | Dec. 31 |
| Sugar, Peach, Rose Bowls (Quarterfinals) | Jan. 1 |
| Orange Bowl (Semifinals) | Jan. 9 |
| Cotton Bowl (Semifinals) | Jan. 10 |
| National Championship | Jan. 20 |
Updated CFP bracket predictions
As anticipation builds for the 2024 College Football Playoff, projections for the top 12 teams are already making waves. According to recent updates, here are the teams expected to make the cut:
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1. | Oregon | 9-0 |
| 2. | Georgia | 7-1 |
| 3. | Miami | 9-0 |
| 4. | BYU | 8-0 |
| 5. | Ohio State | 7-1 |
| 6. | Texas | 7-1 |
| 7. | Penn State | 7-1 |
| 8. | Tennessee | 7-1 |
| 9. | Indiana | 9-0 |
| 10. | Notre Dame | 7-1 |
| 11. | Alabama | 6-2 |
| 12. | Boise State | 7-1 |
CFP poll release schedule 2024
Fans will be eagerly awaiting the release of the College Football Playoff rankings, which will occur weekly. Here’s the schedule for the upcoming poll releases:
| Date | Time (ET) |
| Tuesday, November 5 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, November 12 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday, November 19 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, November 26 | 8 p.m. |
| Tuesday, December 3 | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, December 8 | 12 p.m. |
The excitement surrounding the College Football Playoff is palpable as teams gear up for a season filled with high stakes and unforgettable moments. With the expansion to 12 teams, the road to the national championship promises to be more thrilling than ever before. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating postseason that showcases the best of college football talent, rivalries, and the quest for glory.
