Timeline for Potential Playoff Expansion, Seeding Changes

College Football’s expanded 12-team playoff field is still a fresh deal but powers that be are still not happy with the concept they actually came up with, even manipulating the selection process after conference realignment has impacted the sport.

Plans are always subject to change and it appears the selection process along with a shift in seeding reportedly set for 2026. The SEC and Big Ten already had three of the four semi-final participants along with 7-of-12 bids.

Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian before a game with the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Ark. / Ted McClenning-AllSECfb Images

“We’re headed to major change, inevitably, at some point,” Dinich said. “The question is, do they tweak the seeding for this fall? If they do, it needs to be unanimous. That means all 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua have to agree to it.”

With as much power that SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten’s Tony Pettiti are the ultimate decision makers as other conference leaders follow suit.

Dec 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

“What would it look like? It would look like the Selection Committee’s Top 12. The Top 12 teams get the top 12 seeds. The four highest-ranked teams would get the top four seeds. That’s instead of the four highest-ranked conference champions, which it was this year, and then they get the first round bye. That’s small change, in the eyes of the commissioners, for this year.”

The proposed seeding change comes after each conference champion who received a bye lost in the first round. Now, 2026 could see the playoff add another two teams for a 14-team field that could throw a wrench into things scheduling wise.

“The big change would be in 2026 and beyond, get ready for 14 teams. Multiple sources at every level have told me that that’s the direction this is heading. The question is, are there automatic qualifiers in 2026 and beyond? The SEC and Big Ten sources have told me multiple people are in favor of four guaranteed teams each for both of those leagues. Two for the ACC, two for the Big 12, one at-large bye and one spot for that Notre Dame team if they’re ranked high enough to be included in it.”