The College Football Playoff (CFP) has been a staple of the sport since its inception in 2014. The current four-team format has been successful in crowning a national champion, but there have been calls for expansion to allow more teams to compete. The latest projections have Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State joining the exclusive field, bringing the total number of teams to 12.
The expansion is expected to bring more excitement and competition to the sport, with more teams vying for a national championship. The new format will feature the five conference champions from the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC), as well as seven at-large teams. The teams will be seeded 1-12, with the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye.
Oregon, currently ranked No. 4 in the AP poll, is projected to join the field as the Pac-12 champion. The Ducks have been one of the most dominant teams in the country, with a high-powered offense and stout defense. Georgia, ranked No. 2 in the AP poll, is expected to join the field as the SEC champion. The Bulldogs have been nearly unbeatable, with a strong running game and stingy defense.
Boise State, currently ranked No. 19 in the AP poll, is projected to join the field as an at-large team. The Broncos have been one of the most consistent programs in the country, with a strong offense and defense. Arizona State, currently ranked No. 22 in the AP poll, is also projected to join the field as an at-large team. The Sun Devils have been a surprise team this season, with a strong running game and improved defense.
The expansion of the CFP is expected to bring more revenue and exposure to the sport. The new format will feature more games, including a first-round game between the 5-12 seeds, and a quarterfinal game between the 1-4 seeds and the winners of the first-round games. The semifinals and championship game will remain unchanged.
The CFP committee will use a variety of factors to determine the 12 teams, including win-loss record, strength of schedule, and conference championships. The committee will also consider other factors, such as head-to-head matchups and independent rankings.
The expansion of the CFP is a significant development in the sport, and it will be interesting to see how the new format plays out. The inclusion of Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State in the projected field adds an exciting element to the competition, and fans will be eager to see how the season unfolds.
In addition to the projected teams, other teams that could potentially join the field include Clemson, Ohio State, and Notre Dame. Clemson, currently ranked No. 3 in the AP poll, has been one of the most dominant teams in the country, with a strong offense and defense. Ohio State, currently ranked No. 6 in the AP poll, has been a consistent program, with a strong running game and defense. Notre Dame, currently ranked No. 8 in the AP poll, has been a surprise team this season, with a strong offense and improved defense.
The CFP committee will announce the official field on December 5, and the games will begin on December 18. The semifinals will be played on December 31, and the championship game will be played on January 10.
The expansion of the CFP is a significant development in the sport, and it will be interesting to see how the new format plays out. The inclusion of Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State in the projected field adds an exciting element to the competition, and fans will be eager to see how the season unfolds.
