The inaugural year of the revamped 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) has garnered positive reviews. However, just one year after its introduction, discussions are already underway to modify the seeding process. The current system, which granted automatic byes to the top four conference champions in 2024, is under review. A new proposal aims to allocate these coveted byes based on overall team rankings rather than conference affiliations. This shift could significantly impact several conferences and teams, particularly those outside the Power Five (P5) leagues. For instance, it raises questions for fans of Washington State and Oregon State regarding the future of the Pac-12 conference. Despite this potential change, the Pac-12's immediate future remains relatively unchanged for 2025 due to its limited membership.

Under the proposed changes, the highest-ranked teams would secure byes irrespective of their conference standing. This adjustment could introduce more flexibility and fairness into the playoff structure. While the Pac-12 currently consists only of Washington State and Oregon State, making it ineligible for a conference champion bid, individual teams could still earn at-large selections if they perform exceptionally well. However, under the previous format, neither WSU nor OSU would have qualified for a bye even with an at-large bid. The new rules might offer a slight opportunity for either team to vie for one of the top four spots starting this fall, though an undefeated season would likely be required for serious contention.

Looking ahead, the Pac-12 plans to expand its membership in 2026, adding five new programs including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State, and San Diego State. This expansion will bring the total number of members to seven. If the conference can attract one more team to meet the eight-member threshold, the revised CFP format could become more relevant. Once the Pac-12 can officially crown a champion, that team would need to maintain a high overall ranking to receive a bye week. An undefeated or near-perfect record would likely be necessary. Even without a bye, playing in the first round would almost certainly mean a home game for the Pac-12 representative, as opposed to neutral-site matches in later rounds.

While these changes are speculative for now, the prospect of altering the seeding criteria appears imminent. The Pac-12 has another year before these modifications significantly affect its operations. Nevertheless, both current and prospective members are closely monitoring developments. The upcoming adjustments promise to reshape the competitive landscape of college football, potentially offering greater opportunities for deserving teams from smaller conferences.