Uncertainty over 2026 CFP keeps bowls waiting | JQJO

With the College Football Playoff’s 2026 format undecided ahead of a Dec. 1 deadline, bowls tied to expiring conference contracts are in limbo. The SEC and Big Ten control the choice but disagree—the Big Ten favors broader automatic access, the SEC an extension of the current champions-and-committee model. Executives expect short-term deals and brace for unusual pairings, including potential intra-conference games. Money pressures linger—the Holiday Bowl even explored Saudi Arabia—yet TV audiences stayed strong last season, and organizers say the postseason can remain robust.