12-team College Football Playoff selection process will proceed without waiting for Army-Navy result

Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

In a recent development regarding the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection process, outgoing executive director Bill Hancock confirmed that the Army-Navy Game will not impact the 12-team format. This decision comes after discussions with academy officials, who did not want to move the traditional matchup earlier in the schedule.

Previously, Army and Navy had hoped for the CFP to consider seeding 11 of the 12 teams and holding out for the Group of 5’s spot if necessary. However, CFP officials determined that asking a participant to wait a full week to learn their opponent with a shorter turnaround before the Playoff began was not feasible.

Under the new policy, there is now a scenario where Army or Navy could win the AAC championship and still qualify for the CFP even if they lose to the other academy six days later. Despite Army joining the AAC as a football-only member, their annual Navy matchup will remain a nonconference game.

Additionally, the CFP will not be moving its first-round games off the third Saturday in December, despite concerns from the NFL. In other news, Washington athletic director Pat Chun has stepped down from the CFP selection committee due to a job change.

Moreover, the CFP has increased its travel budget for team family members from $1.5 million to $7.5 million, showing a continued commitment to providing a memorable experience for players and their loved ones during the Playoff. The decisions made by the CFP officials aim to ensure fairness and excitement in the selection process for college football teams vying for a spot in the prestigious Playoff.