Conference commissioners have decided to completely “start over” in crafting the 2026 College Football Playoff format, sources confirmed to Brett McMurphy. The initial framework, heavily backed by the Big Ten and SEC, proposed allocating four automatic qualifiers (AQs) each to those conferences, with only two AQs assigned to the ACC and Big 12, while still planning for a 16‑team playoff. That plan quickly unraveled under pushback from the ACC and Big 12.
Conference commissioners have decided to “start over” on determining 2026 College Football Playoff format, sources said. Big Ten & SEC initially wanted 4 AQs each w/2 each to ACC & Big 12. However, ACC & Big 12 pushed back. SEC coaches later publicly did not support 4 AQ model…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) June 18, 2025
SEC coaches also balked at the 4‑4‑2‑2 structure, aligning instead with the league consensus for a model featuring five conference champion auto-bids plus eleven at-large spots (a 5+11 format). This preference matched the positions of the ACC. The Big 12 most likely will not support a 5+11 model with the SEC playing eight conference games. The ACC plays eight conference games but the main problem resides with the SEC.
A key point of contention highlighted in these discussions is how much weight the Selection Committee should assign to strength of schedule metrics. The SEC has been particularly insistent, receiving supportive data from CFP executives at recent commissioner meetings in Asheville, NC. Still, insiders warn that no matter the metrics, the decisions will ultimately come down to committee members’ judgment on team quality.
This reset in planning gives commissioners a timeline to reach consensus, with a firm December 1 deadline for finalizing the 2026 playoff structure. As of now, the 5+11 proposal appears to have gained momentum, but the ultimate format remains subject to ongoing negotiation.
From the perspective of Miami, they would prefer the 5+11 format along with the rest of the ACC. Last year, if the 5+11 format was in use, the ACC would have had three teams in the college football playoff. This upcoming year, the Hurricanes have Florida and Notre Dame in the non-conference schedule so there is reason to believe that with less AQ's they would have a greater chance of making the CFP (even if they lose one of them).
The bottom line for the ACC is that these teams benefit from less AQ's becuase the non-conference schedule can come in and "save" a resume if it is lacking in the conference play. With more at-large spots, the committee can make a decision to give a team like Miami a chance if their total schedule is on-par with SEC or Big 10 teams, even if the in-conference games aren't as impressive.