The College Football Playoffs have been expanded for a grand total of one year, and there are changes being discussed in the format. We know there is a push to expand the playoffs from 12 teams to 14 or even 16 teams, with potential guaranteed slots handed out to each conference.
However, there is another sticking point to the format that was flawed in 2024, and leaders are already discussing altering the format when it comes to seeding.
Florida Football: One Day
It may seem silly to discuss the playoffs when it comes to Florida, but the hope is if DJ Lagway is healthy and lives up to the hype that anything is possible.
Last year was the first year the playoffs expanded to 12 teams. The five highest-rated conference champions got automatic bids, with the four highest-rated conference champions getting an automatic 1-4 seed and a bye in the first round.
This created some imbalances in the bracket. Oregon, for example, was the No. 1 seeded team and had to play the 8th seeded Ohio State, though the Buckeyes were ranked 6th by the committee.
Meanwhile, Penn State was seeded 6th, and when they beat 11th-seeded SMU in the first round, they got to play the 3rd-seeded Boise State. The only problem is that Boise State was ranked 9th by the committee, but because they were the third-highest-ranked conference champion, they got bumped up.
According to Heather Dinich of ESPN, potential steps are being taken to change how things are seeded. She reported on X that:
“CFP leaders are meeting in Dallas today, where multiple sources indicated there’s strong support to move to a straight seeding model this fall while continuing to include the five highest ranked conference champs. There are some, though, who want to tie that discussion into 2026, as the commissioners are expected to have more substantive talks about the format in 2026 and beyond. How that conversation unfolds will determine if they can reach the unanimity required – and if it happens today.”
Tying this back to the Gators, a straight seeding model would benefit Florida should they ever make the playoffs. Tennessee, for example, was ranked 7th by the committee, but because Boise State and Arizona State got to jump ahead of them due to being conference champs, the Volunteers were seeded 9th, which meant they had to travel on the road to Ohio State.
Had there been straight seeding and they had been seeded 7th, they would have hosted SMU instead.
One day, Florida will make the playoffs, whether it’s with Billy Napier or someone else, and a straight seeding model would be to their benefit.
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