Playoff talks stretch into 2026

A wide open playoff picture and rising star stories shape the year ahead.

2025 College Football Season Faces Big Uncertainties

With Week Zero approaching, the 12 team playoff remains in flux. The debate over expanding to 16 teams has stalled as conferences clash over bids and guarantees. If no agreement emerges, the format could stay at 12 beyond 2025, a pause that some see as prudent and others worry signals shaky governance.

Top seeds could face new pressures as the rules shift. In 2025 the four highest ranked teams will progress to the semifinals regardless of conference titles, which makes late season games feel high stakes even without a traditional conference tilt. Arch Manning is a constant talking point in Texas, and the chatter about his 2026 plans will persist even if he stays. Bill Belichick taking on college football at North Carolina marks a bold shift for a coach used to a different scale, and his staff brings high expectations. The Mountain West faces a last stand to prove its playoff worth as Pac 12 realignment reshapes the map, while the American depth adds another layer of calculation for who can crack the field.

These storylines reveal a sport balancing tradition with money and power. The playoff debate is more than a rule fight; it is a governance test that could shape how college sports operate for years. If talks stall, fans of smaller programs worry about a system that rewards conference strength over on field merit.

Individual threads like Manning and Belichick show how money and fame shape the game. A season that centers on star status risks overshadowing work to build durable programs. If conferences grow stronger and TV deals expand, the gap between big programs and mid majors could widen, affecting competitive balance and fan trust.

Highlights

How the season handles money, power, and tradition will define the sport’s next decade.