# Pac-12 Championship Game Future After CFP Expansion

> Pac-12 and Group of Six conferences debate championship game survival in College Football Playoff expansion.
- Title: Pac-12 Championship Game Future After CFP Expansion | Shortify
- Summary: Pac-12 and Group of Six conferences debate championship game survival in College Football Playoff expansion.
- Keywords: college football, college football playoff, pac-12 championship, group of six conferences, college football championship game, college football expansion, college football scheduling, college football conference, Seattletimes
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/sports/wsu-cougar-football/with-cfp-expansion-whats-the-future-of-the-pac-12-championship-game-mailbag
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: college football, college football playoff, pac-12 championship, group of six conferences, college football championship game, college football expansion, college football scheduling, college football conference, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.