How do college football conference championships work?

College football conference championships are end-of-season games that determine the top team within each conference. These championships are hosted by major conferences such as the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Pac-12, and Big 12. Each conference has its format for selecting the teams that compete in the championship game, usually involving the top teams from different divisions within the conference. The outcomes of these games not only decide the conference champions but also significantly influence national rankings and postseason opportunities, including eligibility for bowl games and the College Football Playoff (CFP).

These games are highly anticipated, often featuring intense rivalries and showcasing some of the best talent in college football. The results of these championships can boost a team's national profile and improve their chances of competing for the national title.

What is the format for the college football championship?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) format has expanded to a 12-team bracket starting from the 2024 season. This new format aims to include more teams and provide more opportunities for teams to compete for the national title.

1. Selection: The CFP field includes the five highest-ranked conference champions, which receive automatic bids. Regardless of conference, the next seven highest-ranked teams also make the cut.

2. Seeding: The four highest-ranked conference champions are seeded 1-4 and receive a first-round bye. Teams ranked 5-12 play in the first round, with higher-seeded teams hosting the games on their home campuses.

3. First Round: The first round of games takes place in December, with matchups of 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, and 8 vs. 9.

4. Quarterfinals: The winners of the first-round games advance to the quarterfinals, which are played at traditional bowl sites like the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl on New Year's weekend.

5. Semifinals: The quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinals, which will be held at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl in January.

6. National Championship: The two semifinal winners compete in the national championship game. The 2024-25 championship game is scheduled for January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Previously from 2014 to 2023, the College Football Playoff (CFP) utilized a four-team format to determine the national champion. Under this system, the top four teams, as selected by a committee, were seeded and matched up in two semifinal games played at major bowl sites: the Rose, Orange, Sugar, Cotton, Peach, or Fiesta Bowls. The winners of these semifinal games would then advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

When are college football conference championship games?

Typically, college football conference championship games are held in late November to early December. The exact dates can vary each year, but they generally take place during the final week of the regular season and the first week of December.

For the 2024-25 season, the conference championship games are scheduled as follows:

Friday, December 6, 2024

• Conference USA Championship: Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State

• American Championship: Tulane vs. Army

• Mountain West Championship: UNLV vs. Boise State

Saturday, December 7, 2024

• Big 12 Championship: Iowa State vs. Arizona State

• MAC Championship: Ohio vs. Miami (OH)

• SWAC Championship: Southern vs. Jackson State

• SEC Championship: Georgia vs. Texas

• Sun Belt Championship: Marshall vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

• ACC Championship: Clemson vs. SMU

• Big Ten Championship: Penn State vs. Oregon

How are college football conference championships determined?

College football conference championships are determined through a combination of regular-season performance and championship games. Here's how it generally works:

• Regular Season: Teams within a conference play a series of games against each other during the regular season. Their performance in these games determines their standings within the conference.

• Divisions: Many conferences are divided into two divisions (e.g., East and West). The team with the best record in each division typically advances to the conference championship game.

• Conference Championship Game: At the end of the regular season, the top team from each division (or the two best teams in a single-division conference) face off in the conference championship game. The winner of this game is crowned the conference champion.

• Tiebreakers: If two or more teams have the same record, conferences use specific tiebreaker rules to determine which team advances to the championship game. These rules can include head-to-head results, divisional records, and other criteria.

What are college football conference tiebreaker rules?

College football conference tiebreaker rules vary by conference, but they generally follow a similar structure to ensure a fair determination of which teams advance to the championship game. Here are some common tiebreaker criteria used by many conferences:

1. Head-to-Head: If two teams are tied, the winner of the head-to-head matchup advances.

2. Win Percentage Against Common Opponents: Teams are compared based on their win percentage against shared opponents.

3. Win Percentage in Conference Games: The team with the higher win percentage in conference play moves forward.

4. Record Against the Top Teams in the Conference: Teams are evaluated based on their performance against the top teams in the conference standings.

5. Overall Win Percentage: If all other criteria are tied, the team with the higher overall win percentage is chosen.

6. Strength of Schedule: Some conferences consider the strength of the opponents each team has faced.

7. Coin Toss: As a last resort, a coin toss may be used to determine the advancing team.