Brad Crawford breaks down the new-look CFP bracket as straight seeding has been implemented By Brad Crawford May 22, 2025 at 4:45 pm ET • 5 min read Getty Images ...

"The 12-team bracket will now be seeded directly based on the final ranking of the CFP Selection Committee, with the four highest-ranked teams receiving a first-round bye. If one or more of the ...

The CFP will have 12 teams and a straight-seeding format for the upcoming season. But a new contract with ESPN begins in the fall of 2026, along with changes to the format.

The CFP was at four teams for 10 seasons from the tournament's beginning in 2014 through the 2023 campaign. Last year, the CFP expanded from four to 12, where it will remain in 2025.