Pac-12: How title game changes impact college football

The two finalists for the Pac-12 football championship will now be based on winning percentage, not division record. 

This past Wednesday, the Pac-12 ruled that division standings will not determine participants in its championship game by winning the north or south division. A team’s winning percentage now determines the teams that will play in the conference title game.

“Our goal is to place our two best teams in our Pac-12 Football Championship Game, which we believe will provide our conference with the best opportunity to optimize CFP invitations and ultimately win national championships,” said Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff.

“Today’s decision is an important step towards that goal and immediately increases both fan interest in, and the media value of, our Football Championship Game.”

This decision by Kliavkoff and the Pac-12 follows the NCAA Council ruling, eliminating restrictions on FBS title game requirements. The conference will keep its division format next season, which has been in place since it expanded to 12 teams in 2012

What does this mean for the College Football Playoff?

This season, it does not mean a lot for the Pac-12 and the College Football Playoff. The Pac-12 needs to get a team back into the playoff first. Long term, however, it might have some far-reaching implications.

Having the two best teams by winning percentage go to the title game could mean the Pac-12 is guaranteed at least two teams into an expanded playoff. The format change could be a positive in a four-team playoff as well. A one-loss conference champion might not look as bad in the eyes of the playoff committee playing another high-rated team.

This season, USC and Utah look to be the two strongest teams in the conference. If they play one another in the title game this season, the Pac-12 title game could have playoff implications for the first time in a long time.