Is Clemson Being Left Out of the College Football Playoff?
The College Football Playoff Is Changing—And Clemson Might Be in Trouble
In a sport that has seen constant evolution, the latest shift in the College Football Playoff (CFP) could be the most dramatic yet and it may not be good news for Clemson.
The SEC and Big Ten have taken control of college football’s future, pushing forward a plan to expand the CFP to 14 or 16 teams starting in 2026. But here’s the catch: the new system overwhelmingly favors the SEC and Big Ten, leaving programs like Clemson, Florida State, and the rest of the ACC scrambling for answers.
The move comes after the two powerhouse conferences secured exclusive decision-making power over the CFP in a 2024 agreement. That means the future of the playoff will be decided not by all Power Five leagues equally, but by the SEC and Big Ten themselves.
With automatic bids skewed toward their conferences and a massive revenue gap developing, the question has to be asked: Is Clemson being left behind? And is there anything they can do about it?
The SEC and Big Ten’s Power Grab
Since the launch of the College Football Playoff in 2014, expansion has always been a matter of when, not if. Now, with the new postseason format looming, the SEC and Big Ten are ensuring that they, not the entire FBS, control the process.
According to multiple sources, the leading proposal includes a 14-team model that would distribute automatic playoff spots as follows:
- SEC: 4 automatic bids
- Big Ten: 4 automatic bids
- ACC: 2 automatic bids
- Big 12: 2 automatic bids
- Group of Five: 1 guaranteed spot
- Notre Dame: Special access if ranked high enough
This is a stark contrast to the equal-access approach that was originally envisioned when playoff expansion talks began.
For Clemson, this means the road to the national championship just became significantly harder. While the Tigers have long dominated the ACC, their path to the CFP could now be restricted to just two conference auto-bids while the SEC and Big Ten receive double that amount.
This disproportionate access to the CFP raises major concerns for schools like Clemson, which are now at a disadvantage compared to their SEC and Big Ten counterparts.
Follow the Money: Clemson Is Falling Behind
This isn’t just about playoff spots, it’s about financial survival in the new era of college football.
Under the new revenue-sharing agreement, SEC and Big Ten schools will each receive $20-23 million per year from CFP payouts alone.
By comparison:
- ACC schools will receive about half that amount.
- Big 12 schools will get even less.
That’s a staggering financial gap and it’s only going to grow wider.
With college football entering a direct revenue-sharing model with players, the programs with the biggest budgets will have the edge in recruiting, coaching salaries, and facilities.
While Clemson is still one of the top brands in the country, staying in the ACC may become a long-term disadvantage if the financial disparity continues to grow.
Notre Dame Gets a Pass. Clemson Doesn’t.
One of the more controversial elements of the new CFP structure is Notre Dame’s special access to the playoff.
Despite not playing in a conference championship game, Notre Dame would be guaranteed a CFP spot if it finishes inside the top 14 rankings.
Clemson, meanwhile, has to win the ACC to secure its place.
This has raised serious concerns among ACC administrators. Why is Notre Dame, which refuses to join a conference full-time, getting preferential treatment over Clemson?
The answer? Power.
Notre Dame’s unique position as an independent program with massive TV appeal makes them a key player in playoff negotiations, while Clemson, despite its dominance in recent years, is tied to an ACC that has lost its leverage.
The Group of Five’s Fight for Relevance
It’s not just the ACC and Big 12 that are frustrated, the Group of Five conferences are also being pushed aside.
Currently, the Group of Five receives one guaranteed playoff spot in the new format. But several conference commissioners are arguing that they deserve a second automatic bid if expansion reaches 16 teams.
American Athletic Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti has been vocal about fighting for expanded access in the new system, telling Yahoo Sports:
“As the CFP evolves, we have a responsibility to student-athletes, the integrity of the game, and our fans to build a future that includes expanded access for every conference.”
But there’s little indication that the SEC and Big Ten are willing to budge. And if the most powerful leagues in college football aren’t interested in sharing, the Group of Five may be permanently locked out of national championship contention.
What Does This Mean for Clemson?
If you’re a Clemson fan, the writing is on the wall:
✅ The SEC and Big Ten control the playoff.
✅ They get twice as many automatic bids as the ACC.
✅ They are getting richer, while Clemson is stuck in a financially weaker conference.
✅ Notre Dame gets a guaranteed spot but Clemson doesn’t.
And here’s the biggest problem: Clemson may not have a way out.
The ACC’s long-term TV contract with ESPN locks its schools into the conference until 2036 unless a school finds a way to break free. But that’s easier said than done.
Florida State and other ACC schools have already explored exit strategies, but the cost of leaving potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in exit fees and legal battles makes it a massive financial gamble.
So, What Happens Next?
Clemson is at a crossroads.
1️⃣ Stay in the ACC and fight for limited access to the new playoff?
2️⃣ Look for an escape route to the SEC or Big Ten even if it means legal battles?
3️⃣ Hope that the ACC can negotiate a better deal before it’s too late?
None of those options are easy. But one thing is clear: The future of college football is being shaped right now and Clemson is not in the driver’s seat.