The College Football Playoff is expanding from four to 12 teams this season, marking a significant change for the sport and how success is measured. The new system introduces some peculiar dynamics, such as the potential for the second-best team in the country to be ranked fifth and for the 12th-ranked team to miss out in favor of a team not even in the top 25.

Under the 12-team format, teams will still be chosen by a panel of 13 individuals, mostly comprising former coaches, players, and current athletic directors. Selection Sunday will take place on December 8, following the conclusion of conference championship games.

The playoff field will consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, regardless of the conference, and seven at-large selections. This structure ensures at least one team from a Group of Five league secures a spot in the playoff, even if they fall outside the top 12 rankings.

The top four seeds and a first-round bye will be reserved exclusively for conference champions, irrespective of their final rankings. Therefore, teams like Clemson and Utah, ranked seventh and eighth but conference champions in this scenario, would earn byes. Teams ranked third and fourth in the rankings would enter the playoff as the fifth and sixth seeds.

Seed five through eight will host seeds nine through 12 in first-round games on campus. The quarterfinals will be held in traditional bowl games like the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl, with matchups aligned based on current bowl tie-ins.

Semifinal and championship games will also take place in bowl game settings, with the championship game moving across different locations. This season’s championship game is scheduled for January 20th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, marking the latest conclusion to a college football season.

These changes bring both excitement and challenges to the College Football Playoff landscape, providing a fresh and intriguing setup for fans and teams alike.