Potential new seeding format for 2025

[NDinNJ]

It looks like they are wanting to go with a straight seeding based on the CFP committee's ranking, giving the top 4 ranked teams a bye regardless of conference championship. This would open the door for ND to get a bye.

CFP leaders waiting on changes to seeding format

The CFP management committee is waiting on more information before deciding whether to change how teams are seeded in the 12-team playoff this fall.

www.espn.com

 

[echowaker]

It looks like they are wanting to go with a straight seeding based on the CFP committee's ranking, giving the top 4 ranked teams a bye regardless of conference championship. This would open the door for ND to get a bye.

CFP leaders waiting on changes to seeding format

The CFP management committee is waiting on more information before deciding whether to change how teams are seeded in the 12-team playoff this fall.

www.espn.com

I'd prefer a first round home game. It's a great momentum builder I believe. ND already has a built in bye by not having to play a conference championship game. It's why they were excluded from a 1st round bye originally. I think that's fair.

 

[FightingIrish44]

I'd prefer a first round home game. It's a great momentum builder I believe. ND already has a built in bye by not having to play a conference championship game. It's why they were excluded from a 1st round bye originally. I think that's fair.

Even without having to play a conference championship, you’d still rather play a first round game?

That’s a pass for me. A team that loses in the first round is still good enough to win the title. I’d rather avoid the risk of losing as well as injuries. Rylie Mills and ND would have been better off had they not played Indiana last year IMO. Now the lack of incentive to play the game is magnified if ND is a top 4 team.

 

[echowaker]

Even without having to play a conference championship, you’d still rather play a first round game?

That’s a pass for me. A team that loses in the first round is still good enough to win the title. I’d rather avoid the risk of losing as well well as injuries. Rylie Mills and ND would have been better off had they not played Indiana last year IMO. Now the lack of incentive to play the game is magnified if ND is a top 4 team.

All I know is that all 4 teams that had a bye lost their first playoff game. The 4 first round winners rode that momentum to wins in the 2nd round. In all honesty no team should get two byes which ND would. Not being eligible for a bye in the playoff is a small price to pay for their continued independence.

 

[FightingIrish44]

All I know is that all 4 teams that had a bye lost their first playoff game. The 4 first round winners rode that momentum to wins in the 2nd round. In all honesty no team should get two byes which ND would. Not being eligible for a bye in the playoff is a small price to pay for their continued independence.

I disagree with the premise that ND gets two byes. A conference title loser can still end up with a bye so they’re not automatically shut out. What about every other team not playing in the conference title game? Do you consider them as having received a “bye”? An 11-1 3rd place team from a conference could receive an actual playoff bye as well.

I was more addressing that you seem to think playing Round 1 is better.

Last year was just one season. I don’t think it’s prudent to use such a small sample size to be under the belief that playing in Round 1 is advantageous. No one actually thought Boise State and Arizona State were top 4 teams which is why a change is being made. Ohio State barely lost to Oregon in the regular season and could have easily found themselves with a bye. Georgia should have lost to Georgia Tech and been 10-3 (perhaps not a top 4 team). Georgia could have potentially lined up the next week and beat ND by three touchdowns.

In short, correlation does not equal causation. Also, it’s not ND’s fault that these conferences bloated themselves and are playing extra games for the purpose of money.

 

[echowaker]

I disagree with the premise that ND gets two byes. A conference title loser can still end up with a bye so they’re not automatically shut out. What about every other team not playing in the conference title game? Do you consider them as having received a “bye”? An 11-1 3rd place team from a conference could receive an actual playoff bye as well.

I was more addressing that you seem to think playing Round 1 is better.

Last year was just one season. I don’t think it’s prudent to use such a small sample size to be under the belief that playing in Round 1 is advantageous. No one actually thought Boise State and Arizona State were top 4 teams which is why a change is being made. Ohio State barely lost to Oregon in the regular season and could have easily found themselves with a bye. Georgia should have lost to Georgia Tech and been 10-3 (perhaps not a top 4 team). Georgia could have potentially lined up the next week and beat ND by three touchdowns.

In short, correlation does not equal causation. Also, it’s not ND’s fault that these conferences bloated themselves and are playing extra games for the purpose of money.

Bottom line for me is I consider not having to play or prepare for a conference championship game a bye. It's the exact reason why Swarbrick made the deal he did. The benefit of that home playoff game was immeasurable and I would bet every other team that hosted felt the same way. Ideally you have 16 teams and first rounds at home. The tweaking will continue I'm sure.

 

[Golson5]

All I know is that all 4 teams that had a bye lost their first playoff game. The 4 first round winners rode that momentum to wins in the 2nd round. In all honesty no team should get two byes which ND would. Not being eligible for a bye in the playoff is a small price to pay for their continued

A major reason for that was because 2 of the teams that got the bye actually weren't deserving of a bye and wouldn't have gotten it in the new format. So you can't really use that because Boise and Arizona State were inferior teams

 

[echowaker]

A major reason for that was because 2 of the teams that got the bye actually weren't deserving of a bye and wouldn't have gotten it in the new format. So you can't really use that because Boise and Arizona State were inferior teams

I deal in what actually occurred. Your opinion on two of the teams that received byes is not relevant. Bottom line for me is that I believe ND or any team hosting a 1st round game benefits more than they would if they had a bye under the current format. I would prefer a format where there are no byes at all.

 

[Golson5]

I deal in what actually occurred. Your opinion on two of the teams that received byes is not relevant. Bottom line for me is that I believe ND or any team hosting a 1st round game benefits more than they would if they had a bye under the current format. I would prefer a format where there are no byes at all.

Yeah it is relevant. Because 2 of those teams would not be there in the new format and they were inferior teams. So using that in your data is pointless. Penn State and Texas were better teams. The 1st rd bye status was irrelevant. Some years the bye would be beneficial. And other years it wouldn't.

There is no one size fits all. Every situation is different and will always be such

 

[Get Nasty]

I'd prefer 16 teams no byes.... That's just me. I love more games on campuses. I attended a first round game and it was electric!

 

[Patrish]

16 teams, no byes, neutral sites

 

[sjb75]

Even without having to play a conference championship, you’d still rather play a first round game?

That’s a pass for me. A team that loses in the first round is still good enough to win the title. I’d rather avoid the risk of losing as well as injuries. Rylie Mills and ND would have been better off had they not played Indiana last year IMO. Now the lack of incentive to play the game is magnified if ND is a top 4 team.

Most any head coach would prefer a bye when you get to game 13, rather than play and take more physical punishment against a decnt opponent.

 

[ivan brunetti]

Except for the final NC game, all playoff games should be at the home of the higher seeded team.

 

[tbonesays]

All I know is that all 4 teams that had a bye lost their first playoff game. The 4 first round winners rode that momentum to wins in the 2nd round. In all honesty no team should get two byes which ND would. Not being eligible for a bye in the playoff is a small price to pay for their continued independence.

A major reason for that was because 2 of the teams that got the bye actually weren't deserving of a bye and wouldn't have gotten it in the new format. So you can't really use that because Boise and Arizona State were inferior teams

Yes two of the big 4 were doa. Injuries are much worse than ring rust.

 

[TDIrish27]

Agreed

 

[sjb75]

Except for the final NC game, all playoff games should be at the home of the higher seeded team.

Now back to reality. The CFB major bowl games, entrenched in CFB for decades, will always be involved.

 

[ivan brunetti]

Now back to reality. The CFB major bowl games, entrenched in CFB for decades, will always be involved.

Unless you are talking about the NC game final, they shouldn't be. Going to a major bowl could be a fine consolation prize for the teams that just missed making the playoff.

 

[savvyandsassier]

Except for the final NC game, all playoff games should be at the home of the higher seeded team.

Totally agree, that would be sweet. Might give a bit too much advantage to the home team, but whatever, the world's an imperfect place.

 

[Patrish]

Except for the final NC game, all playoff games should be at the home of the higher seeded team.

Not going to happen, weather remains an important factor in December and January and o one wants to see games played in horrendous conditions.


What do you think there are so many domed stadiums in the NFL

 

[FightingIrish44]

Not going to happen, weather remains an important factor in December and January and o one wants to see games played in horrendous conditions.


What do you think there are so many domed stadiums in the NFL

I think it’s great to be outdoors and at home. I’d say they should perhaps have three home site rounds with only the championship played at a neutral site.

Or take the middle ground with the semis and finals at a neutral site. At least two home game rounds. It’s nice to not force fans to have to travel to all of those games.

 

[Patrish]

I think it’s great to be outdoors and at home. I’d say they should perhaps have three neutral site rounds with only the championship played at a neutral site.

Or take the middle ground with the semis and finals at a neutral site. At least two neutral site rounds. It’s nice to not force fans to have to travel to all of those games.

The weather in the north in January is going to nix playoff games at home fields

And the networks will never go for it

The networks want to televise a game that draws viewers and in turn advertisers

And games in blizzards and/or icy conditions aren’t going to drive up viewership and advertising dollars

 

[FightingIrish44]

The weather in the north in January is going to nix playoff games at home fields

And the networks will never go for it

The networks want to televise a game that draws viewers and in turn advertisers

And games in blizzards and/or icy conditions aren’t going to drive up viewership and advertising dollars

I edited my post to reflect at least two home games which is what I meant to say. Even if you disagree with that, you don’t want just one home game?

Some Round 1 games will be played in warm weather anyway. Some colder climate games won’t have snow. An occasional snow game might make for a nice changeup for neutral fans. Plus people might tune in to see an LSU playing at a Michigan in December.

I think it would be ridiculous to have Round 1 on neutral sites but that’s just my opinion.

 

[NDinNJ]

The weather in the north in January is going to nix playoff games at home fields

And the networks will never go for it

The networks want to televise a game that draws viewers and in turn advertisers

And games in blizzards and/or icy conditions aren’t going to drive up viewership and advertising dollars

NFL teams host all playoff games except super bowl and the following northern teams play in outdoor stadiums.

Browns
Packers
Bills
Chiefs
Giants
Jets
Bengals
Steelers
Patriots
Bears

All outdoor stadiums

 

[Patrish]

NFL teams host all playoff games except super bowl and the following northern teams play in outdoor stadiums.

Browns
Packers
Bills
Chiefs
Giants
Jets
Bengals
Steelers
Patriots
Bears

All outdoor stadiums

Now list the 22 domed stadiums

There’s a few reasons why more NFL Stadiums aren’t domed and it has to do with ownership of the stadium, age of the stadium, cost to construct and the financial impact of non-football events, like concerts, on natural turf where applicable

The Jets and the Giants play in the same stadium and most fans agree that the stadium is a viewing disappointment

I believe the cost to add a dome was 600 million

 

[Patrish]

I edited my post to reflect at least two home games which is what I meant to say. Even if you disagree with that, you don’t want just one home game?

Some Round 1 games will be played in warm weather anyway. Some colder climate games won’t have snow. An occasional snow game might make for a nice changeup for neutral fans. Plus people might tune in to see an LSU playing at a Michigan in December.

I think it would be ridiculous to have Round 1 on neutral sites but that’s just my opinion.

My issue is the travel issue and the advantages that accompany playing at home

 

[Golson5]

Now list the 22 domed stadiums

There’s a few reasons why more NFL Stadiums aren’t domed and it has to do with ownership of the stadium, age of the stadium, cost to construct and the financial impact of non-football events, like concerts, on natural turf where applicable

The Jets and the Giants play in the same stadium and most fans agree that the stadium is a viewing disappointment

I believe the cost to add a dome was 600 million

There's only 11 DOMED TEAMS, not 22

 

[ivan brunetti]

The weather in the north in January is going to nix playoff games at home fields

And the networks will never go for it

The networks want to televise a game that draws viewers and in turn advertisers

And games in blizzards and/or icy conditions aren’t going to drive up viewership and advertising dollars

The NFL plays tons of outdoor playoff games in January. The networks love it, and these games are among the most watched programs in the USA for the entire year.

College football has TREMENDOUS stadiums. Ditching them to play in the sterile domes of Atlanta and New Orleans and Indianapolis is nuts.

 

[FightingIrish44]

My issue is the travel issue and the advantages that accompany playing at home

It’s unfortunate that the selection process is subjective (for now), but I’d still say that it’s the away team’s fault for not having a better resume. The home team by and large will have earned the right to play at home.

I don’t feel bad for the away team and don’t feel that one fanbase and team should have the home game taken away. Just my opinion.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

NV

 

[sjb75]

Not going to happen, weather remains an important factor in December and January and o one wants to see games played in horrendous conditions.


What do you think there are so many domed stadiums in the NFL

It's not going to happen because the tradition major CFB bowl games carry a lot of weight in CFB.

 

[tbonesays]

It's not going to happen because the tradition major CFB bowl games carry a lot of weight in CFB.

Not much tradition in playing a 'bowl game' on Jan 10th.

 

[NDinNJ]

Now list the 22 domed stadiums

There’s a few reasons why more NFL Stadiums aren’t domed and it has to do with ownership of the stadium, age of the stadium, cost to construct and the financial impact of non-football events, like concerts, on natural turf where applicable

The Jets and the Giants play in the same stadium and most fans agree that the stadium is a viewing disappointment

I believe the cost to add a dome was 600 million

There are only 10 stadiums that are either domed or have a retractable roof. How many domed stadiums are in the northern part of the country, specifically the midwest and north east? Minnesota, Detroit and Indianapolis. 3 that's it. The other domed stadiums are in Dallas, New Orleans, Houston, Atlanta, Arizona, Vegas, and Los Angeles.

Oh and I forgot to mention the Eagles and Ravens who also have outdoor stadiums.

 

[NDinNJ]

There's only 11 DOMED TEAMS, not 22

and 10 domed stadiums because the Chargers and Rams play in the same stadium

 

[echowaker]

Most any head coach would prefer a bye when you get to game 13, rather than play and take more physical punishment against a decnt opponent.

Exactly why ND benefits greatly from not having to play in a conference championship game.

 

[NDinNJ]

Exactly why ND benefits greatly from not having to play in a conference championship game.

And what happens if the ACC approves not playing the regular season champion in the conference championship game and playing the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the CCG? What if that starts a domino effect t that all the other conferences adopt. Does ND now still have an advantage ? No.

 

[Golson5]

And what happens if the ACC approves not playing the regular season champion in the conference championship game and playing the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the CCG? What if that starts a domino effect t that all the other conferences adopt. Does ND now still have an advantage ? No.

The Playoff will just put in a rule to not allow conferences to do that

 

[NDinNJ]

The Playoff will just put in a rule to not allow conferences to do that

Starting in 2026 the Big10 and the SEC will be running the playoff

 

[BGI User 1596]

Starting in 2026 the Big10 and the SEC will be running the playoff

Wonderful!

 

[Golson5]

Starting in 2026 the Big10 and the SEC will be running the playoff

Then they will put that rule in

 

[NDinNJ]

Then they will put that rule in

Unless they don't. who is s to say they will? They'll have set AQ's. BIG10 and SEC with 4 each, ACC and B12 with 2 each, 1 G5 and 1 At-Large