College football is set for major changes in 2024, including sweeping conference realignment, a 12-team playoff, and the absence of Nick Saban from the SEC sidelines. The Big Ten becomes the largest conference with 18 teams, the ACC follows with 17, and both the SEC and Big 12 will have 16 teams, leading to conference realignment and the elimination of divisions. The new 12-team playoff system will reward conference champions and top-ranked teams, with the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye. Teams that don't secure a bye will need to win four straight games to claim the national championship. The playoff schedule will conclude on Jan. 20, 2025, ending on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The changes in college football will fundamentally alter the landscape of the sport, impacting the way teams compete, fans engage with the game, and the overall structure of the college football season. The realignment and playoff expansion will have tangible effects on team strategies, standings, and the fan viewing experience.

The changes in college football signify a significant shift in the sport's traditional structures, impacting conference rivalries, playoff dynamics, and the overall competitive landscape.

• The Big Ten will become the largest conference with 18 teams
• ACC will follow with 17 teams
• SEC and Big 12 will each have 16 teams

• The new playoff system will reward conference champions and top-ranked teams
• Teams that don't secure a bye will need to win four straight games to claim the national championship
• The playoff schedule will conclude on Jan. 20, 2025, ending on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The college football community will likely experience a period of strategic adjustments, standing changes, and fan engagement evolution as the new realignment and playoff system take effect.

The upcoming season in college football is poised to bring about unprecedented shifts, impacting the strategies, competitiveness, and overall structure of the sport, ushering in a new era for college football.