CFP changes -G6, ACC, and BIG 12 have no say so

[UL_Cajuns]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...-g5-champions/

The College Football Playoff will tweak its selection process next year, guaranteeing spots for the four Power 4 conference champions for the first time, but in another change from the previous 12-team format, the spot guaranteed to a Group of 6 conference team is not required to go to a league champion, a CFP official told The Athletic this week.

A memorandum of understanding signed by every conference and Notre Dame almost two years ago is replacing the previous CFP contract, which expired after the 2025 season. As part of those negotiations, the Big Ten and SEC were granted power to shape the future of the format, while the other conferences were still guaranteed slots in the field.

The CFP will remain at 12 teams in 2026 because the Big Ten and SEC couldn’t agree on an expanded format before the deadline to inform ESPN of any changes.

But the idea that the Group of 6 spot could go to a non-champion is a change that has been previously unreported and, in some cases, even forgotten by the people involved in creating it.

Multiple G6 leaders told The Athletic this week they didn’t realize the memo had no conference champion stipulation until recently. (The MOU language does include the champion requirement for Power 4 leagues, according to people who have read the MOU).

The Group of 6 refers to the Football Bowl Subdivision leagues outside the Power 4: the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt, plus the reconstituted Pac-12 launching in 2026.

[UL_Cajuns]

All Notre Dame has to do is finish in top 12 now and they get an automatic bid also new thing.

[ZoomZoom]

All Notre Dame has to do is finish in top 12 now and they get an automatic bid also new thing.

Seen their schedule next year? They should run the table.

The great amputation of the G6 has occurred. Pretty much the AAC, Washington State or Oregon State will get that golden ticket.

[MarlinMan3]

All Notre Dame has to do is finish in top 12 now and they get an automatic bid also new thing.

People more worried about notre dame but fail to notice all 4 p4's now guarenteed, no longer top 5 or even top 4

[MarlinMan3]

The conference signed it, without reading??

[ZoomZoom]

Another part of this, the official death of the PAC being a major conference. No coming back from that.

[CajunNation]

NCAA needs to draw a line in the sand. Create an FBS playoff just like the FCS playoff. If some schools prefer to participate in their NIT, let them.

[VObserver]

NCAA needs to draw a line in the sand. Create an FBS playoff just like the FCS playoff. If some schools prefer to participate in their NIT, let them.

I agree; but the P4 will withdraw from the NCAA if they do that.

[MarlinMan3]

I agree; but the P4 will withdraw from the NCAA if they do that.

Hasta La Vista, ....baby

[MarlinMan3]

People complain about branding efforts, but boy these legal and contracting departments seem to leave even more to be desired