The race to the 2025 College Football Playoff -- this time with a straight seeding model -- begins now in what could be the final year of the 12-team bracket. As conversations continue on a potential 14-,

According to Thamel, the new model proposed by the Big Ten suggests eliminating conference title games and awarding more auto bids for the four power conferences. In a 28-team playoff, the Big Ten and SEC would receive seven auto bids each, while the ACC and Big 12 would get five auto bids each, per Thamel.