In Atlanta, the excitement is brewing as college football gears up for a historic shift in its playoff format starting with the 2024-25 season. For the first time ever, a 12-team playoff will take shape, changing the dynamics of postseason play. Every week, the selection committee ranks the top 25 teams in the nation, which will help shape the brackets for the playoffs.
According to the latest rankings released on November 19, the playoff will include the four highest-ranked conference champions receiving byes into the quarterfinals. The fifth-highest-ranked conference champion will automatically secure a spot but won’t receive a bye. Currently, Boise State sits in a good position, having only lost to the top-ranked Oregon team. As it stands, they are ranked as the fourth-highest conference champion.
The challenge for teams such as Tennessee and SMU remains evident. Ranked 11th and 13th, respectively, both teams find themselves outside of the playoff picture, while BYU, now ranked 14th, is the fifth automatic qualifier, pushing them a little further from getting in.
Looking ahead, the official bracket is set to be revealed on December 8, with the first round of games scheduled for December 20 and 21 at various campus sites. This year, there will be no re-seeding after the bracket’s release, making the stakes even higher for all participating teams.
The four quarterfinal matchups will be played at well-known bowl sites, including the Fiesta Bowl and Rose Bowl, on December 31 and January 1. The excitement will continue as the semifinal winners face off at the Orange Bowl or Cotton Bowl on January 9 and 10, leading up to the national championship tilt scheduled for January 20 at the famed Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With much anticipation, fans and teams alike are eager to see how this new format plays out and who will emerge as the national champion in this thrilling new era of college football.
