Proposed: Should the CFP Committee Be Abolished? Meyer and Cowherd Weigh In on "Access" Model
Proposed: Should the CFP Committee Be Abolished? Meyer and Cowherd Weigh In on "Access" Model
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee has long been the most controversial entity in the sport, but if Urban Meyer has his way, its days are numbered. In a recent heated discussion on The Herd, Meyer advocated for a radical shift in how teams qualify for the postseason. Meyer is a vocal supporter of a proposed "4-4-2-2-1-1" model—a system that would grant automatic bids based on conference performance, effectively stripping the selection committee of its power to "pick and choose" based on subjective criteria.
Under Meyer’s preferred model, the SEC and Big Ten would each receive four automatic berths, the ACC and Big 12 would receive two each, the top-ranked Group of Five champion would get one, and the final spot would be a single at-large bid. Meyer argues this would transform the playoff from a "selection-based" system to an "access-based" one. "The committee has gotta go away," Meyer told Colin Cowherd. "This now eliminates the selection committee. It's not selection, it's access."
The Miami Snub: A Catalyst for Change
The urgency behind this proposal has been fueled by the recent 2025 season, where the Miami Hurricanes faced significant hurdles despite an 11-2 record and a head-to-head win over Notre Dame. Meyer used Miami as a prime example of why the current 12-team format still leaves too much room for "goalpost shifting" by the committee. Even though Miami eventually made the field and reached the National Championship game, the uncertainty surrounding their ranking for much of December was seen as a failure of the current system.
Cowherd agreed with Meyer that the committee has overstayed its welcome, though he remains skeptical that those in power will ever volunteer to remove themselves. The debate highlights a fundamental disagreement on the future of the sport: should the postseason be a reward for a season-long performance in a structured league, or a curated event designed to maximize TV ratings? Meyer’s push for automatic bids aligns with his desire for a more professionalized, predictable structure similar to the NFL.
Looking Toward the 2026 Playoff
With the current 12-team contract expiring at the end of the 2026 season, the timing of this debate is critical. Proposals for a 14-team or even 16-team playoff are already on the table, and Meyer’s "4-4-2-2-1-1" framework is gaining traction among conference commissioners who want more certainty for their member schools. As the Indiana Hoosiers demonstrated by going 16-0 and running through the playoff gauntlet, the quality of the games has never been higher, but the process of getting there remains mired in controversy.
Meyer believes that by moving to an access-oriented system, the sport can finally get away from the "chaos" he frequently criticizes. It would force teams to prioritize winning their conferences rather than lobbying a committee in a boardroom. As spring ball approaches, the administrative battle for the soul of the CFP is just beginning, and with voices as loud as Meyer’s and Cowherd’s leading the charge, the era of the selection committee may finally be reaching its end.
