College Football Playoff Overview

A collection of flashcards summarizing key concepts and historical events in the College Football Playoff (CFP) system.

What was the main issue with bowl tie-ins prior to 1992 in college football?

Conferences had tie-ins to specific bowls, leading to split national champions due to selection restrictions.

Which bowls were historically tied to the Pac-10 and Big Ten champions?

Rose Bowl.

What significant event occurred in the 1990 college football season?

Colorado and Georgia Tech ended the season as split national champions.

What was the purpose of the Bowl Coalition formed in 1992?

To address the problem of split national champions and create a National Championship Game.

What was the Bowl Alliance and when was it established?

The Bowl Alliance was formed from 1995 to 1998 to replace the Bowl Coalition.

What did the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) replace in 1998?

It replaced the Bowl Alliance and included participation from the Big Ten and Pac-10.

What major change occurred in college football postseason structure starting in 2014?

The implementation of the College Football Playoff (CFP).

How many bowl games were there in the College Football Playoff from 2014 to 2023?

There were 7 bowl games, including 3 playoff games and 4 additional bowl games.

What is the 'New Year’s Six' in the context of the College Football Playoff?

The six major bowl venues participating in the College Football Playoff format.

What changes were made to television rights fees for the College Football Playoff in 2014-2023?

ESPN paid approximately $613M for the CFP rights over the period.

What was the average annual payout for each power conference under the CFP until 2024?

Each power conference received $80M as a base share.

What is the new playoff format established for the 2024 and 2025 college football seasons?

A 12-team playoff format with the top 6 conference champions and 6 at-large teams.

How much will ESPN pay the CFP for the 2026-31 contract?

ESPN will pay an average annual rights fee of $1.3 billion.

What percentage of the ESPN rights fees will the Big Ten and SEC receive under the new contract for 2026-31?

Each will receive 29%, approximately $377M.

What payout does Notre Dame receive annually under the new contract starting in 2026?

Notre Dame will receive $12M each year plus $6M if it makes the playoff.