"Get rid of the conference champs; it's trash": Fans criticize potential moves in CFP rankings for 2025 season

Fans reacted as the CFP introduced a new format this season. The college football playoff expanded the playing field to 12 teams, which included first-round byes for four conference champions.

The No. 1 seed was given to the Oregon Ducks, who won the Big 10 title followed by the second seed to Georgia Bulldogs (SEC title), third seed to Boise State Broncos (Mountain West champions) and Arizona State Sun Devils (Big 12 title). The next eight picks were decided based on rankings by the CFP committee.

The format is getting heavily criticised by fans following one-sided affairs in the CFP first round. Brett McMurphy on X reported that there would be "in-depth discussions" for a change in seeding starting with the 2025 season.

"There will be “in-depth discussions” about not guaranteeing conference champs the top 4 @CFBPlayoff seeds in 2025, sources said. Top 5 conference champs still would get in playoff but rankings would determine seeds, sources said. This would require unanimous approval by all stake holders to change in 2025 but conference commissioners “open to getting (the seeding) right,” source said," McMurphy tweeted.

Fans shared their views on the new CFP playoff format.

"Get rid of the conference champs all together it’s trash," one fan commented.

"Conference champions only..if you don't win your league you don't get in..available to all conferences in Division 1..it's already getting watered down and reeking of participation trophies..win your league, if you don't you don't belong," another said.

Few fans even shared some fixes that could make the CFP games exciting.

"There is a super easy way to fix this. Take the records of the top 4 teams in each P4 conference and seed them 1-4 in each of 4 brackets. 16 teams, no byes. This would eliminate arguments/complaints about rankings, biases, seeding, etc. The playoff would be based on wins and losses only, all on the field of play," one fan wrote.

"16 team playoff, no byes. P4 Champs and top G5 Champ get auto bids and are seeded 1-5. Three highest ranked at-large teams round out 1-8 and all 8 get home playoff games. Next rounds are played in bowls. This way top 8 teams get rewarded with a home playoff game. All teams would have at least 2 weeks off after conference championships anyway so no need for an additional bye," another wrote.

"I disagree. It should be the top four conference champs regardless so that non power conference teams get a shot," another wrote.

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CFP results and remaining schedule

First Round (Completed)

• Clemson (12): 24 vs. Texas (5): 38
• Tennessee (9): 17 vs. Ohio State (8): 42
• SMU (11): 10 vs. Penn State (6): 38
• Indiana (10): 17 vs. Notre Dame (7): 27

Quarterfinals (Upcoming)

• Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Texas (5) vs. Arizona State (4) (Jan 1)
• Rose Bowl: Ohio State (8) vs. Oregon (1) (Jan 2)
• Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: Penn State (6) vs. Boise State (3) (Jan 1)
• Allstate Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame (7) vs. Georgia (2) (Jan 1)

Semifinals

• Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Winner of Texas/Arizona State vs. Winner of Ohio State/Oregon (Jan 10-11)
• Capital One Orange Bowl: Winner of Penn State/Boise State vs. Winner of Notre Dame/Georgia (Jan 10-11)

National Championship

TBD vs. TBD (Jan 21)