How 2024-25 CFP Would’ve Appeared Below Proposed Growth Codecs

The Faculty Soccer Playoff will virtually definitely increase once more in 2026, going from a 12-team format to a 14- or 16-team format. Whereas we don’t know which of those it’s going to be, it’s at all times enjoyable to consider what issues may appear like.

In the latest episode of “The Joel Klatt Present: Huge Midday Conversations,” Huge Ten commissioner Tony Petitti broke down how discussions over the CFP enlargement are going, as he holds a key position. He additionally shared that he’s looking for extra significant video games within the CFP enlargement and believes {that a} 16-team format may assist accomplish that. 

“Larger is healthier,” Petitti mentioned. “I believe 12 just isn’t sufficient groups given the scale of the groups which might be competing. You take a look at skilled leagues, they [have] someplace between 40% and 50% of their groups qualifying for the postseason. We’re means under that, even at 16. I believe we wish to be actually cautious.”

As Petitti probably seeks a 16-team CFP, the dedication of which 16 (or 14) groups would qualify continues to be up for debate. Computerized qualifiers would doubtless be concerned in some kind or vogue. 

So, let’s see how the proposed codecs for the CFP enlargement may have impacted final 12 months’s subject, with the consideration that the CFP has already gone to a straight seeding mannequin after final 12 months.

4+4+2+2+1+3 format

On this format of the 16-team mannequin, the Huge Ten and the SEC would’ve acquired 4 computerized bids to the CFP, whereas the ACC and Huge 12 every would’ve acquired two. There additionally would’ve been an computerized spot for the highest-ranked Group of 5 convention champion and three at-large bids. With the thought of a convention championship weekend being thrown on the market as an extension to the CFP enlargement, we used the standings for the 4 main conferences to assist decide which groups would have acquired these computerized qualifying spots.

Within the Huge Ten, each Oregon and Penn State would’ve acquired an computerized bid, as they’d the 2 greatest convention information within the common season. The opposite two video games within the Huge Ten throughout convention championship weekend would have been Illinois (No. 6 within the Huge Ten standings) at Indiana (No. 3 within the Huge Ten standings) and Iowa (No. 5 within the Huge Ten standings) at Ohio State (No. 4 within the Huge Ten standings). The winner of these two video games would’ve acquired the 2 computerized bids. On this apply, let’s presume that Indiana and Ohio State win their respective video games.

Within the SEC, each Georgia and Texas would’ve acquired an computerized bid, as they’d the 2 greatest convention information within the common season. The opposite two video games within the SEC would’ve been South Carolina (No. 6 within the SEC standings) at Tennessee (No. 3 within the SEC standings) and LSU (No. 5 within the SEC standings) at Alabama (No. 4 within the SEC standings). Identical to the Huge Ten, the winners of these video games would’ve acquired the convention’s two different computerized bids. So, let’s presume the favorites of these video games win, that means Tennessee and Alabama advance.

As for the ACC and the Huge 12, it isn’t precisely identified what their convention championship weekends would appear like. The ACC just lately talked about an thought the place it may have its regular-season convention champion get a bye that week, that means the second- and third-place groups within the regular-season standings play for the convention’s different computerized berth.

For the sake of this train, let’s ship the 2 groups who completed No. 1 and No. 2 within the common season standings for the ACC and Huge 12 to the CFP. That may imply SMU and Clemson would advance out of the ACC, whereas Arizona State and Iowa State would’ve superior out of the Huge 12. Boise State was the highest-ranked Group of 5 convention champion, receiving the No. 9 rating within the remaining CFP ballot. That was a straightforward one to determine.

As for the three at-large spots, that’s the place issues may get slightly tough. Notre Dame was ranked fifth within the remaining CFP ballot, that means it will’ve doubtless occupied considered one of these at-large bids. If we glided by the rankings, Miami (Fla.) and Ole Miss would’ve acquired the ultimate two at-large spots. Nevertheless, neither of these groups would’ve performed in convention championship weekend throughout this train, resulting in some potential murkiness with assembling the sector. For now, let’s ship Miami and Ole Miss to the CFP.

Right here’s how that 16-team subject would’ve appeared beneath that format, utilizing the ultimate CFP rankings: 

OregonGeorgiaTexasPenn StateNotre DameOhio StateTennesseeIndianaBoise StateSMUAlabamaArizona StateMiami (Fla.)Ole MissClemsonIowa State 

First two groups out: South Carolina, BYU

One of many concepts being thrown on the market for the 16-team CFP is for the highest two seeds to get a double bye and a play-in spherical between the No. 13-16 seeds. That may imply Miami would host Iowa State, which was the Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup this previous season, and Ole Miss would host Clemson. As for second-round matchups, Ohio State would’ve hosted Alabama and Notre Dame would’ve hosted Arizona State. Oregon additionally would’ve prevented Ohio State within the quarterfinals due to the straight seeding. 

5+11 format

That is most likely the best of the 5 codecs to grasp. On this format, the 5 highest-ranked convention winners plus the 11 highest-ranked at-large groups would’ve acquired a berth into the 2024 CFP.

Right here’s how that might’ve appeared like:

OregonGeorgiaTexasPenn StateNotre DameOhio StateTennesseeIndianaBoise StateSMUAlabamaArizona StateMiami (Fla.)Ole MissSouth CarolinaClemson

First two groups out: BYU, Iowa State

Within the potential situation that there is a “play-in weekend,” we’d’ve seen two convention matchups going down. Miami would’ve hosted Clemson after the Tigers received the ACC Championship Recreation, whereas Ole Miss would’ve hosted South Carolina. This format would’ve actually solely modified the final two seeds from the earlier format, with South Carolina taking Iowa State’s spot within the subject. That may’ve left the Huge 12 with only one workforce within the event. 

4+4+2.5+2.5+1+2 format

This format is much like the primary format we talked about. The one distinction is that there would’ve been another computerized bid for an ACC workforce or the Huge 12 would obtain a 3rd computerized bid, relying on which convention’s third-place workforce is ranked larger. In consequence, there would’ve been one fewer at-large spot. 

For the sake of brevity, let’s assume that the identical eight groups from the Huge Ten and the SEC within the first format obtain the eight computerized bids between the 2 conferences on this format. Let’s additionally assume SMU, Clemson, Arizona State and Iowa State additionally obtain the primary two computerized bids from their respective conferences, the ACC and the Huge 12.

That would go away Miami and BYU as the 2 third-place groups from the ACC and the Huge 12 looking for the opposite computerized qualifying spot. Miami was the higher-ranked workforce of the 2 (No. 13 to BYU’s No. 17 rating), that means the Hurricanes would advance to the CFP. But when the CFP actually wished to get artistic, it may have the third-place groups within the ACC and the Huge 12 go head-to-head for this spot.

Once more, Boise State was the highest-ranked Group of 5 convention champion, so it will’ve acquired a spot on this format. Notre Dame was ranked fifth within the remaining CFP ballot, so it doubtless would’ve been given one of many final at-large bids. Ole Miss would’ve been the second-highest ranked non-automatic-qualifying workforce, doubtless giving it a berth within the CFP.

Cam Ward and the Miami Hurricanes would’ve virtually definitely made the Faculty Soccer Playoff if it was a 16-team subject, whatever the format. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photos)

Right here’s what the 16-team subject would’ve appeared like on this format:

OregonGeorgiaTexasPenn StateNotre DameOhio StateTennesseeIndianaBoise StateSMUAlabamaArizona StateMiami (Fla.)Ole MissClemsonIowa State

First two groups out: South Carolina, BYU

This format would’ve produced the very same 16 groups and seeds as the primary format we talked about. The large distinction is that the slight tweak would’ve given Miami an computerized bid, as not one of the different codecs would’ve given the Hurricanes a assured spot within the subject final season. It additionally would’ve given some extra stability to the ACC or the Huge 12, as their respective conferences’ third-place workforce usually isn’t ranked within the high 10 of the ultimate CFP ballot. 

4+4+3+3+1+1 format

On this proposed format, the ACC and the Huge 12 would every get three computerized qualifiers, whereas the Huge Ten and the SEC would nonetheless get 4. There would even be an computerized qualifier for the highest-ranked Group of 5 convention champion to go together with one at-large bid.

As with the opposite two examples the place the Huge Ten and the SEC get 4 computerized qualifiers, we’ll assume the identical eight groups make it into the sector through the convention championship weekend. How the ACC and the Huge 12 would decide their three computerized qualifiers on this situation is anybody’s guess, however the easiest method could be to have the highest two groups in every convention within the common season occupying two of these spots, whereas the third could be decided by a play-in sport. If the higher-ranked workforce received these video games, we’d have SMU, Clemson and Miami representing the ACC, whereas Arizona State, Iowa State and BYU would get the Huge 12’s three computerized qualifiers.

Jalen Milroe, Kalen DeBoer and Alabama may’ve made the Faculty Soccer Playoff final season in an expanded subject. (Photograph by Brian Bahr/Getty Photos)

Once more, Boise State could be the Group of 5 consultant and Notre Dame would doubtless occupy the lone at-large spot. 

Right here’s how the sector would’ve like on this situation: 

OregonGeorgiaTexasPenn StateNotre DameOhio StateTennesseeIndianaBoise StateSMUAlabamaArizona StateMiami (Fla.)ClemsonIowa StateBYU

First two groups out: Ole Miss, South Carolina

The large distinction on this format is Ole Miss wouldn’t qualify for the CFP as a result of it didn’t end within the high six of the SEC, nor was it the highest-ranked remaining workforce for an at-large spot. A possible play-in weekend on this situation would’ve featured two ACC-Huge 12 battles, whereas the highest 12 seeds stay in keeping with the opposite three codecs we’ve gone over to this point.

14 workforce format: 4+4+2+2+1+1

Whereas it appears unlikely, a 14-team format continues to be on the desk for the most recent spherical of CFP enlargement. The commonest format for a 14-team playoff options 4 computerized bids for the Huge Ten and the SEC, whereas the ACC and the Huge 12 get two apiece. The best-ranked Group of 5 convention champion would additionally get an computerized bid, whereas there could be an at-large bid for the highest-ranked remaining workforce.

This format is corresponding to the primary format we talked about; it simply has two fewer at-large bids. So, the 4 groups representing the Huge Ten and the SEC would stay the identical in our apply situation. The identical goes for the ACC (SMU and Clemson) and the Huge 12 (Arizona State and Iowa State), however as we talked about earlier, it’s unclear what every of these conferences would doubtless do for a convention championship weekend if it had two computerized bids. 

Huge Ten commisioner Tony Petitti may assist his convention obtain 4 computerized bids within the subsequent spherical of Faculty Soccer Playoff enlargement. (Photograph by James Black/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)

Identical to the opposite codecs, Boise State (highest-ranked Group of 5 champion) and Notre Dame (highest-ranked at-large workforce) would additionally make the sector.

Right here’s how a possible 14-team CFP format would’ve appeared like final season:

OregonGeorgiaTexasPenn StateNotre DameOhio StateTennesseeIndianaBoise StateSMUAlabamaArizona StateClemsonIowa State

First two groups out: Miami, Ole Miss

The highest 12 seeds on this format would’ve remained the identical in comparison with the opposite 4 codecs, however that is the primary format that doesn’t embrace Miami. 

A play-in weekend additionally wouldn’t be potential in a 14-team format. Oregon and Georgia would’ve acquired first-round byes as the opposite 12 groups duked it out. A few of these first-round matchups would’ve included a sport between former Huge 12 foes (Iowa State-Texas), Clemson making the journey as much as Blissful Valley to tackle Penn State and Alabama dealing with Ohio State.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter every day.