In a historic shift, the College Football Playoff has expanded from four to twelve teams, leaving fans curious about whether the rankings or the seating chart will come first at this chaotic postseason party.

The expansion, which allows twelve teams to vie for gridiron glory instead of just four, means that the postseason landscape is now a complicated casserole of conference champions and ranked teams. With top conference contenders like Boise State, Georgia, and Oregon already securing their spots, and Notre Dame likely preparing for an epic home game, fans can expect the unexpected—including whether the rankings will create a playoff hype that rivals even the latest viral TikTok dance.

The new format not only invites more teams to the buffet but also stirs the pot when it comes to the seating arrangement. The final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings may not align with how teams are placed in the tournament, which is slightly unsettling if one were to prefer order over chaos. No one really likes to see a refund policy at a restaurant, and this feels similar; no one wants their anticipation for home cooking suddenly diluted with confusion over who sits where.

For the chosen few—namely, the top four highest-ranked conference champions—there’s the delightful benefit of a first-round bye, allowing them to sip on their Gatorade while others sweat it out on the field. The likely contenders for this honor include the Moosers of the Mountain West, Boise State, who cashed in on a shiny second consecutive title, along with Georgia, who muscled through Texas in a thrilling overtime in the SEC championship. Other contenders include Oregon and Arizona State, making it an exciting race for the top spots.

Oregon also joined the ranks of the elite after stunning Penn State in their Big Ten showdown, further proof that remaining unbeaten isn’t merely a pipe dream for some schools. Arizona State, who was expected to play a supporting role by finishing last, somehow snagged a plot twist by claiming the Big 12 championship. They clearly missed the memo about being underdogs, opting instead to take a sledgehammer to the narrative while sauntering into the playoffs as champions.

Meanwhile, as the playoffs gear up, excitement reaches a fever pitch for the No. 5 through 8 seeds, who will get to enjoy the convenience of home games. As if college football isn’t already a social event, now fans can don their lucky jerseys from their living rooms while local traffic wails in recognition of the impending chaos. Not to be overlooked is fan-favorite Notre Dame, not only aiming for the big leagues but also quite likely hosting a game at their storied stadium, because nothing says tradition like a frigid December game against a squad fresh off a travel itinerary that resembles a logistical nightmare.

As playoff potentials shape up, Alabama fans can take solace in their prevailing dislike for Miami, as the Crimson Tide barely scraped into the tournament at a respectable No. 11 rank. Congratulations, team! Just when you thought you might end the season on the couch, you get to potentially snag a spot in this gridiron fiesta. And let’s not forget about SMU anxiously awaiting the verdict of their conference championship game appearance—because when in doubt, hope for a miracle!

At the tail end of the rankings, Indiana University managed to wrap up their season with only one loss, landing at No. 9 in what sounds like a perilous cliffhanger. Fans are left wondering whether they’ll get to see any more of their team, and if so, what kind of drama will unfold in the playoffs. But much like a suspenseful novel, the plot is hardly predictable, especially with Georgia's coaxing of Texas into the first round as Georgia takes a leisurely rest before the semifinals—with popcorn at the ready, no less.

On a somber note, Colorado's Travis Hunter has been deprived of the playoff experience as his team missed out on a Big 12 seat. As he stands by with dreams of a Heisman nomination, one can only imagine how he might be feeling—like a contestant in a culinary show who didn’t quite make the cut for the main event but who will still show up, nonetheless, for the tasting round. At least he has that going for him.

As the confetti of excitement settles down and the hot topics of the season transform into warm memories, fans and teams alike are left facing the monumental question: Who will hoist the elusive trophy? In this expanded playoff frenzy, the answer remains as elusive as the final outcome of the games. Let the games begin!