The College Football Playoff will implement a 12-team format in 2024, offering increased postseason opportunities, notably benefiting the Group of Five conferences, which now have an automatic bid into the playoff. With only Cincinnati from the Group of Five ever making the four-team field, the recent 5+7 model approved by the College Football Playoff Management Committee guarantees at least one automatic bid for the Group of Five. Several teams from Group of Five conferences could also compete for at-large spots.

By the Numbers
  • Cincinnati is the only Group of Five program to have made the four-team field in almost a decade of the College Football Playoff's existence.
  • The recent 5+7 model approved by the College Football Playoff Management Committee guarantees at least one automatic bid for the Group of Five out of the five available bids.
State of Play
  • Introduction of a 12-team format provides greater postseason opportunities for college football.
  • The Group of Five conferences have an automatic bid into the playoff, offering increased access and potential for at-large spots.
Bottom Line

The 12-team format in the College Football Playoff in 2024 provides increased opportunities for Group of Five conferences, with the recent approval of a 5+7 model guaranteeing at least one automatic bid, presenting a significant shift in postseason dynamics for these teams.