Pac-12 adopts flexible end-season schedule to boost College Football Playoff chances

The revived Pac-12, now composed of twelve schools after adding Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Utah State, Texas State and Fresno State for football and Gonzaga for basketball, seeks a path to the College Football Playoff despite losing its Power-Five automatic bid. The conference will implement a “flex” schedule in the last week of regular play, allowing it to stage at least one high-profile rematch that does not affect conference standings.

Games will be set only six days in advance and hosted by Colorado State, Utah State, Fresno State and Washington State to ensure each team enjoys four home league contests. Commissioner Teresa Gould described the plan as a strategic way to improve television value and CFP positioning, while Oregon State one outlet director Kevin Griffin said the goal is to maximize every team’s chance of making the playoff. The Pac-12 championship will be held on Dec. 4 at the venue of the top-seeded team.