The Pour Over College Football Playoffs Explained: Who Decides Who’s In? | 12.20.25
5 snips
Dec 20, 2025 Discover the evolution of college football playoffs from the BCS era to today's 12-team format. Learn how the selection committee operates and what factors influence their decisions. The hosts share personal Christmas traditions before diving into controversies like Notre Dame's exclusion this year. Explore what makes FBS unique among college sports, and get fun trivia about historical champions. Finally, hear reflections on maintaining a healthy perspective on sports fandom.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Playoff Upsets Validated The Format
- Jason recalls the first CFP year when No.4 Ohio State beat No.1 Alabama and then won the title, validating the playoff change.
- He also mentions a later 12-team year where lower seeds advanced, reinforcing the playoff's ability to find different champions.
How The Playoff Committee Ranks Teams
- The College Football Playoff uses a 13-person committee (12 this year) to rank teams using both data and judgment.
- They evaluate strength of schedule, head-to-head, common opponents, injuries, stats, and game film rather than pure win totals.
Listing The 12 Teams This Year
- Kathleen lists the 12 playoff teams for the current year, including Indiana, Ohio State, and James Madison.
- She uses the list to illustrate how the committee-selected field can include surprising entries like James Madison.