As it has for the past couple of years, the College Football Playoff format will see a slight tweak in 2026. Last season marked the first-ever 12-team playoff, with the four top-ranked conference champions earning the top four seeds and byes. "In a previously unreported College Football Playoff change, the Group of 6 spot in 2026 does NOT have to be a conference champion," wrote Vannini. Wide shot of the College Football First Round logo at on field. The Group of 6 has seen three teams make the 12-team College Football Playoff over the past two years, while also seeing Cincinnati make it during the four-team era.