New 12-team playoff format intensifies stakes for top 25 teams, spotlighting potential snubs like Tennessee and SMU

Major college football is nearing the end of its regular season with only two weeks left, and the new 12-team playoff format is heightening the stakes for Top 25 teams as ranked by the College Football Playoff committee. Despite the inclusion of teams like Oregon, Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, and Indiana in the committee’s top rankings, only certain conference leaders are projected to secure top seeds in the playoff bracket. The new format might result in some notable snubs, such as Tennessee and SMU, highlighting the increasing importance of criteria like strength of schedule and record as the conference championships approach.