From Seattletimes · · 2m
Pac-12 Championship Game Future After CFP Expansion
Pac-12 and Group of Six conferences debate championship game survival in College Football Playoff expansion.
In brief
Pac-12 and Group of Six conferences debate championship game survival in College Football Playoff expansion. The Pac-12 and other Group of Six conferences face uncertainty over whether to keep championship games as the College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
CFP Expansion Begins
The College Football Playoff expanded to 24 teams starting next season, eliminating Power Four conference championships.
Group of Six Championship Dilemma
The American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and Sun Belt conferences must decide whether to keep championship games.
Risk-Reward Calculation
A single playoff berth is reserved for the top Group of Six team, with 70 schools competing for one spot.
Data and Time Constraints
Five conferences can use 2024 and 2025 data, but the Pac-12 adds Boise State, the best Group of Six program.
Calendar Challenges
Regular season ends Thanksgiving weekend, with Army-Navy on the first Saturday in December.
Flex Saturday Model
The Pac-12 uses a Flex Saturday model to stage a championship game as the 12th regular-season game.
Lawsuit Possibility
The Group of Six tried to negotiate for a second automatic berth but failed, resulting in reduced guaranteed access.
Automatic Bids Explained
The Group of Six gets one automatic bid in the 24-team field (4.16%), down from 8.33% in the 12-team playoff.
Playoff Matchup Shift
The Group of Six team now faces a No. 9 seed instead of a No. 5 seed in the opening round.
Bowl System Impact
At least six bowls will lose games as the 12 best teams are removed from the bowl pool.
Scheduling Changes
Oregon State and Washington State face scheduling challenges with Power Four opponents starting in 2027.
Player Health Concerns
Changes in practice and targeting rules have improved athlete safety, but concerns remain.
2027 Scheduling Rules
Oregon needs one more power conference opponent to meet the 10-game minimum for 2027.
Group of Six Playoff Debate
Some support a Group of Six playoff, but leagues cannot detach from the CFP without risking irrelevance.
Future of Group of Six
The Group of Six will likely keep championship games but face reduced playoff access.
Next Steps
The Group of Six will determine their championship game future within months as the playoff expands.
The bottom line
The Pac-12 and other Group of Six conferences face uncertainty over whether to keep championship games as the College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams.
