New CFP Model? League Commissioners Restart 2026 Playoff Planning

Conference commissioners have officially hit the reset button on selecting the 2026 College Football Playoff format, a move that could have a profound impact on the Power Four, Group of Five, and leagues around the country.

The initial report was first shared by the ActionNetwork’s Brett McMurphy, who noted that, “Conference commissioners have decided to ‘start over’ on determining 2026 College Football Playoff format.”

Earlier proposals favored four automatic qualifiers each for the SEC and Big Ten, leaving just two spots each for the ACC and Big 12 in a possible 16-team format. However, ACC and Big 12 leaders firmly pushed back, rejecting a model that depleted their access to the CFP.

Further complicating matters, SEC coaches also backed away from that structure, favoring instead a 5 AQ + 11 at-large approach, which left the ACC and Big 12 in alignment with their position.

Unfortunately, the good times don’t always last, and now fans must witness the saga unfold yet again with new proposals, likely from the SEC and Big Ten, which continue to parade their “dominance” over the sport.

This reset isn’t just administrative, it’s philosophical. The SEC and Big Ten wield immense financial power and seek guaranteed paths into the playoff. But their larger rivals, the ACC and Big 12, won’t settle for being marginalized.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey recently emphasized the strength of schedule in the league, suggesting that more challenging conference play should carry greater weight in the playoff process. That said, there are very few ways to support Sankey’s comments right now, considering the SEC is coming off one of their worst playoff showings in recent history.

Yet opponents argue that such weight could reinforce a system skewed toward established powerhouses, again sidelining lesser leagues.

Conference commissioners will reconvene through July, with a firm deadline to finalize the format by December 1, 2025. With this reset, expect the conversation to recycle topics, including the number of automatic qualifiers, the strength of schedule metrics, and competitive fairness for Group of Five programs.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR THE BIG 12

In the original playoff model pitched earlier this year, the SEC and Big Ten reportedly wanted four automatic qualifying spots each. That left just two each for the Big 12, ACC, and everyone else to fight over. In a 16-team format, that setup would have effectively cut the Big 12’s ideal playoff access in half, or worse.

Now, with format discussions officially back on the table, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and league leadership have a window of opportunity to fight for equitable inclusion. And it comes at a time when the Big 12 is asserting its strength more than ever.

With conference balance being a defining feature of the Big 12, any model that overvalues brand over substance would be a step backward. For the Big 12 to continue growing its postseason credibility, fair access is non-negotiable.

The “start over” directive gives Yormark & Co. a fresh opportunity to reset the terms and ensure that the Big 12 isn’t boxed out of a playoff system it helped pioneer.