The 2020s are the most transformative era in the history of college football, given the rise of the transfer portal, the advent of NIL, the House v. NCAA settlement ruling, and seismic shifts in conference realignment.
Another constantly changing force is the method of determining a champion. After a 10-year run of a 4-team College Football Playoff, the bracket expanded to 12 teams for the 2024 season. No conference received an automatic bid, the top five highest-ranked conference champions received automatic bids,
and the top four highest-ranked conference champions received first-round byes.
In 2026, the 12-team format is retained with one exception — instead of the top four highest-ranked conference champions receiving first-round byes, the top four highest-ranked teams in the CFP committee’s rankings are granted the bye weeks.
American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti spoke at length about the CFP format at his conference’s media day on Friday, Jul. 25, voicing support for the current 12-team format, as opposed to proposed modifications that have been discussed.
“As Commissioner Sankey shared at his media day last week, we have a format right now, the 12-team format that was positive a year ago in just its first year,” Pernetti said. “Proposed formats such as the ‘4-4-2-2-whatever’ for certain conferences run the risk of removing a vital element that is table stakes for student athletes, coaches and fans — the opportunity to earn it on the field, the excitement of what’s possible. Line up, play the games, let see where the chips fall.”
The ‘4-4-2-2-whatever’ comment refers to a format proposed by Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti at the Big Ten’s media days, which transpired earlier in the week in Las Vegas. Petitti prefers a model where conferences receive automatic bids, and he championed a 16-team format with four automatic spots for the Big Ten and SEC apiece. Pernetti, whose conference altogether missed the inaugural 12-team CFP, disagrees and doesn’t believe any conference should receive automatic handouts.
“Let’s not send a message to certain football student-athletes that their opportunity isn’t as important as others. They have the same goal of playing for a national championship,” Pernetti said. “Our position on format is this: We are supportive of a format that preserves our access and provides the opportunity to earn more. We believe in a format without anything being guaranteed to any conference. The five highest-ranked conference champions should continue to receive an automatic bid, plus a significant number of at-large opportunities giving anyone the opportunity to earn a spot.”
Another issue Pernetti addressed regarding the CFP was the selection process. The committee has been criticized in the past for their handling of the American Conference, oftentimes ranking 3-loss teams from other conferences higher than unbeaten American teams. For instance, 2017 UCF, 2018 UCF, and 2020 Cincinnati were among teams that missed the 4-team playoff despite entering the postseason sporting undefeated records.
“We will continue to audit the selection process, how metrics are used, how fairness is measured, and how this system can evolve the right way,” Pernetti said. “Let’s not forget — the BCS didn’t fall apart because of its format. It collapsed under the weight of confusion, favoritism, and protecting certain programs over others. That’s what the CFP was built to fix.”
But above all, Pernetti’s message was one of providing a sense of meritocracy to college football’s postseason. Instead of advocating specifically for the American to receive an automatic bid, he promoted an equitable system where every league must play its way in, without relying on the crutch of an automatic bid.
“Win it on the field, a true merit-based system,” Pernetti said.
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