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Last Updated on May 9, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

In a recent announcement, outgoing CFP executive director Bill Hancock revealed that the Army-Navy Game will no longer impact the College Football Playoff selection process in the new 12-team format. This decision comes as a change from the previous four-team format, with Academy officials expressing reluctance to move the annual rivalry game earlier in the schedule to accommodate the final rankings.

Army and Navy had proposed a unique idea to seed 11 of the 12 teams and hold out for the Group of 5’s automatic spot in the Playoff. However, CFP officials determined it would not be fair to ask another participant to wait a week to learn their opponent. Under the new policy, Army or Navy could potentially win the AAC and qualify for the CFP as the top G5 champion, only to face the other academy six days later.

Despite Army joining the AAC as a football-only member this year, the Army-Navy game will remain a non-conference matchup due to its historic significance and contract with CBS. The CFP has also confirmed that first-round games will continue to be held on the third Saturday in December, despite concerns from the NFL about potential scheduling conflicts.

In other news, Washington athletic director Pat Chun has stepped down from the CFP selection committee due to a job change, prompting the need for a new at-large committee member. Additionally, the CFP has significantly increased its travel budget for team family members, from $1.5 million to $7.5 million over the span of 11 games. These recent developments highlight the ongoing evolution of the College Football Playoff system and its impact on key stakeholders in the sport.