New College Football Playoff 'Test Kitchen' Model Extends Longhorns' Championship Window
The College Football Playoff's recent expansion to a 12-team playoff format reflects significant changes in the sport and potentially widens the championship prospects for the Texas Longhorns under Steve Sarkisian.
The CFP Board of Managers convened on Tuesday and unanimously endorsed a modification to the 12-team format, converting one slot previously designated for a conference champion into an at-large bid. The revised model, incorporating five automatic qualifiers for the highest-ranked conference champions alongside seven at-large bids (5+7), was a prudent decision by the CFP following the Pac-12's upheaval in August 2023.
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With seven at-large spots available, there's room for a team that doesn't win its conference title. This provides Texas with more flexibility in the highly competitive SEC, aiming to achieve the feat of qualifying for both the four-team CFP and the expanded 12-team version within the next two seasons.
Texas plays elite teams like Georgia and LSU, meaning 10-2 or possibly even a 9-3 record could still secure a spot in the playoff field. Two-loss and three-loss teams have previously ranked in the top 12 of the final CFP standings. While it's of course not the preferred path for the Longhorns, it remains a narrow option available to them.
The expanded championship window for Texas extends beyond 2024 into 2025. While not immediately necessary, the flexibility could prove crucial in 2025, particularly with Quinn Ewers likely leaving after this season and key players potentially departing. Despite this, Texas' strong recruiting and successful portal ventures should help ease the transition.
The new playoff format for the next two years expands the postseason opportunities for the talented yet relatively inexperienced 2024 Longhorns, allowing them to qualify without needing to be flawless. However, the future of the College Football Playoff remains uncertain beyond this period, with ongoing negotiations surrounding revenue distribution and amateurism concerns.
While the 5+7 format in place for 2024 and 2025 offers insights into potential changes, there's no guarantee it will continue. Fans can anticipate a trial period during this era, providing a glimpse into the future of the playoff system.
