CFP 2025 EXPLAINED: New Seeding, Payouts, & 16-Team Playoff Future

Welcome to Rise & Shine College Football with Jason Watkins! The College Football Playoff is getting a full makeover for 2025—and we’re breaking it all down with zero fluff and plenty of strong opinions. In this episode, we’ll show you exactly how the new straight seeding model will work, why conference championships aren’t the golden ticket anymore, and who gets paid in the latest payout scheme.

Plus, get a visual tour of the proposed 16-team “4-4-2-2-1” playoff format for 2026 and beyond—color-coded, bracketed, and ready for debate. We’ll compare the SEC and Big Ten dominance to the rest of the field, reveal which conferences are really running the show, and explain how the new changes impact the Big 12, ACC, Group of Five, and Notre Dame.

We’ll also break down what this means for the Sooners and every program with playoff hopes. Join us for interactive Q&A, hot takes, and the sharpest analysis in college football media. If you’re a fan, a rival, or just tired of the “Power 2” running the table—don’t miss this show!