12-Team College Football Playoff Selection Process Not Delayed by Army-Navy Result

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

The Army-Navy Game will no longer have an impact on the 12-team College Football Playoff selection process, according to CFP executive director Bill Hancock. In the past, the game affected the rankings in the four-team format, but academy officials did not want to change the annual rivalry’s date to accommodate the new Playoff era.

Both Army and Navy had hoped that the CFP would consider seeding 11 of the 12 teams and holding out for the Group 5’s automatic spot if one of the academies were in contention. However, CFP officials determined at their spring meetings that they could not ask another participant to wait a week to learn their opponent before the 12-team Playoff started.

The new policy now allows Army or Navy to still potentially be selected for the CFP even if they win the AAC and then lose to the other academy six days later. Despite Army joining the AAC as a football-only member, the annual Navy matchup will remain a nonconference game due to its uniqueness and the contractual obligations with CBS.

Washington AD Pat Chun has stepped down from the CFP selection committee due to his move to the Washington State AD job. A new at-large committee member will be selected to serve his three-year term. The CFP has also increased its travel budget for team family members from $1.5 million over three games to $7.5 million over 11 games.

Despite reports of the NFL being annoyed by the scheduling conflict, Hancock mentioned that the CFP will not move its three first-round games off the third Saturday in December. The decision aims to maintain the tradition and significance of the Playoff games.