CFP Expansion Raises Big Questions for Group of 6 Conferences
The highest-ranked G6 conference champion will earn an automatic CFP berth each year.
The College Football Playoff's expansion to 24 teams has raised significant questions for the Group of 6 conferences. Each year, the highest-ranked G6 conference champion secures an automatic CFP berth. Despite the expansion doubling the playoff field, two non-power conference teams were ranked within the top 24 in the final CFP rankings each season from 2021 to 2025.
Notable examples include No. 20 Tulane (American) in 2025, No. 24 James Madison (Sun Belt) in 2024, No. 9 Boise State (Mountain West) and No. 22 Army (American) in 2024, No. 23 Liberty (Conference USA) and No. 24 SMU (American) in 2023, No. 16 Tulane (American) and No. 24 Troy (Sun Belt) in 2022, and No. 4 Cincinnati (American), No. 20 Houston (American), No. 23 Louisiana (Sun Belt), and No. 24 San Diego State (Mountain West) in 2021.
The initial response from G6 conferences has been mixed, with the American, Conference USA, and Sun Belt releasing mostly supportive statements. However, Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher questioned the necessity of the expansion, raising concerns about whether a larger playoff truly strengthens college football as a whole.
The Mid-American Conference's focus on the regular season, rivalries, and conference championships illustrates the league's apprehension about the potential repercussions of further expansion.
Meanwhile, the Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences have remained relatively silent on the CFP expansion, with the Mountain West expressing a cautious approach. They are committed to analyzing the development's impacts on student-athletes, scheduling, the bowl ecosystem, and their annual championship games. If the Selection Sunday for the 24-team CFP were to be moved to the Sunday following the end of the regular season, it would complicate the traditional December schedule for G6 conference championship games.
The Sun Belt, Mountain West, and other G6 conferences remain committed to maintaining their bowl season participation and exploring potential expansions in the bowl lineup.
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