Under the previous agreement, only the four highest-ranked conference champions received automatic placement in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

USC officials insist the school is not trying to kill its prestigious college football series with Notre Dame and instead is seeking shorter contracts.

According to ESPN, the CFP will go to a straight seeding model. That means the four first-round byes will no longer be given to the highest-rated major conference champs. The first round byes will be given to the four top ranked teams, no matter what conference they are in or not in.