Boise State AD Jeremiah Dickey urges CFP Committee to rename new format after feeling wronged

The college football season is over, and summer practices will begin before long. However, that doesn’t mean drama has taken a break across the college football landscape. Just ask Tennessee, which found itself in turmoil when Nico Iamaleava departed in the blink of an eye—an exit that prompted the first-ever college football "trade."

The biggest news in football this week was the decision to revise the College Football Playoff format once again. While the 12-team structure remains in place, conference champions will no longer receive automatic byes. Under this new rule, teams like Arizona State and Boise State would not have secured first-round byes. Boise State eventually fell to Penn State in the quarterfinals.

Ashton Jeanty was Boise State’s biggest weapon, but he couldn’t take on the Nittany Lions alone. Many critics argued that the Broncos didn’t deserve a bye over more prominent Power Five teams. The new playoff format is a direct response to that sentiment.

“After evaluating the first year of the 12-team Playoff, the CFP Management Committee felt it was in the best interest of the game to make this adjustment,” CFP executive director Rich Clark said. “This change will continue to allow guaranteed access to the Playoff by rewarding teams for winning their conference championship, but it will also allow us to construct a postseason bracket that recognizes the best performance on the field during the entire regular season.”

While larger programs that missed out on a bye due to not winning their conference are pleased with the change, Boise State athletic director Jeremiah Dickey is not. He called on the committee to give the new format a different name.

“Please call it the Boise State policy…legacy is important…would make us feel better,” Dickey posted.

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Dickey’s frustration stems from the reality that, under the new seeding rules, Boise State will likely have to compete from the first round onward. Still, the Broncos are determined to return to the playoffs—and if they do, they’ll be more motivated than ever. Calling for a name change displays just how angry he is with the change and how he doesn’t find it fair one bit.