What Kalen DeBoer Said About CFP Expansion, New Documentary, 2025 Season

As the College Football Playoff (CFP) continues to evolve and expand, the 2025 season promises to usher in significant changes that could reshape the landscape of college football. One of the most pivotal figures in the conversation about the expanded playoff system is Kalen DeBoer, head coach of the University of Washington Huskies. DeBoer, who has built a reputation for transforming programs and leading teams to success, recently provided insightful comments about the upcoming season in the new documentary on CFP expansion. In his interview, DeBoer discussed how the changes will impact college football at large, how the Washington Huskies are preparing for the new structure, and his personal take on the advantages and challenges presented by the new playoff system.

A Historic Shift: CFP Expansion and the 2025 Season

The decision to expand the College Football Playoff to 12 teams for the 2025 season is a monumental shift in the way the sport is structured. For years, the playoff system has been a source of debate, with many believing that it was too exclusive and did not adequately reward the best teams in the country. The new 12-team format, which will include six conference champions and six at-large bids, is seen as a way to provide more teams with a chance at a national title and create a more inclusive and dynamic postseason.

For coaches like Kalen DeBoer, this shift represents both an opportunity and a challenge. DeBoer, whose Huskies have been a program on the rise in recent years, understands the significance of this change and how it could affect the trajectory of college football. In the documentary on CFP expansion, DeBoer shared his perspective on what this shift means for the sport, his team, and the future of college football.

Kalen DeBoer’s Vision for the Huskies

DeBoer’s comments about the 2025 season and the expanded CFP were focused on the positive potential it could bring to Washington’s program. The Huskies have become a serious contender in the Pac-12 and have made significant strides under DeBoer’s leadership. He has transformed the program into one that not only competes at a high level in the conference but is also now eyeing a spot in the expanded CFP.

“There’s no question that the expanded playoff format is going to give more teams, including us, a legitimate chance to compete for a national championship,” DeBoer said. “We’ve put in a lot of work to get to this point, and now, with a 12-team format, we believe we have the talent, depth, and coaching staff to take that next step. We’re excited about the possibilities that this new structure presents.”

For DeBoer, the expanded playoff offers a unique opportunity for programs like Washington, which may not always get the recognition they deserve in a traditional four-team playoff. Under the previous system, a loss in a major conference could derail a team’s chances of reaching the playoff, even if they were one of the best teams in the country. The 12-team format will give teams more chances to recover from early losses and continue to compete for a national championship.

“We’ve had seasons where we’ve felt like we were one of the best teams, but because of a single loss or a tough schedule, we were left out of the conversation. That’s no longer the case with this expanded playoff,” DeBoer explained. “Now, there’s a bigger window of opportunity for teams from all across the country, and I think that will lead to some great stories and matchups that fans will love.”

The Increased Importance of Conference Championships

One of the most significant changes in the expanded CFP format is the emphasis on conference championships. With six automatic spots awarded to conference champions, teams like Washington, which have historically been strong contenders in the Pac-12, now have an even more direct path to the playoff. For DeBoer, winning the Pac-12 championship is no longer just about conference bragging rights—it’s about securing a spot in the expanded playoff and putting the program in position to compete for a national title.

“We’ve always taken pride in winning the Pac-12, but now with the new playoff structure, it becomes even more important. Winning your conference means you’re guaranteed a spot in the tournament, and that’s a huge advantage,” DeBoer said. “The teams that can consistently win their conferences will put themselves in the best position to make a deep run in the playoff.”

For Washington, a team that has experienced success under DeBoer and has been on the rise in the Pac-12, securing a conference championship in the 2025 season could be the key to establishing the program as a national contender. DeBoer knows that the competition will be fierce, but he’s confident in the Huskies’ ability to compete at the highest level.

“We have a talented group of players, and we’re building a culture here that focuses on excellence in all aspects of the game,” DeBoer said. “The 2025 season is about continuing to grow and develop, but also about seizing the opportunity in front of us. Our players are excited to play in a format that rewards them for their hard work.”

The Challenges of the Expanded Playoff Format

While the expanded playoff offers many opportunities, DeBoer also acknowledged that it presents certain challenges. One of the most notable is the added physical and mental strain of a longer postseason. Under the previous four-team playoff, teams typically had a week off between the conference championship and the playoff game. However, the new format will likely require teams to play more games in a shorter period, which could lead to increased wear and tear on players.

“The reality is that playing in a 12-team playoff will mean more games in December and January, and that can take a toll on players,” DeBoer explained. “There’s no doubt that we’ll have to manage our players’ health more effectively and make sure that we’re prepared for the grind of a long postseason. It will require us to be even more focused on player development and recovery.”

DeBoer also pointed out that the expanded playoff could create more opportunities for teams with less exposure or resources to compete on the national stage. While this is a positive change in many respects, it also means that the quality of competition will be heightened across the board. Teams from the Group of Five conferences and those with smaller budgets will have more chances to compete against traditional powerhouses.

“While it’s great for the sport to have more teams involved, we’ll need to be ready to face new challenges from all types of teams,” DeBoer said. “There will be teams that we don’t play regularly or teams that have been under the radar in previous years. The expanded playoff means that every game will be a challenge, and we’ll have to be prepared for anything.”

Recruiting and the Impact of the New CFP System

The expanded CFP format will undoubtedly have a major impact on recruiting, as programs across the country will be looking to position themselves as national title contenders. DeBoer sees this as a positive development for Washington, as it opens up new avenues for the Huskies to attract top talent. The opportunity to play in the expanded playoff will likely be a major selling point for recruits, and Washington is poised to take full advantage.

“The expanded playoff will make college football even more exciting for recruits. It gives them the chance to be part of a team that has a legitimate shot at playing for a national championship,” DeBoer said. “We’ve always had a lot to offer here at Washington, and now with the expanded playoff, we can tell recruits that we have a real path to postseason success. This is going to help us in the recruiting battles going forward.”

DeBoer also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong focus on player development, as recruiting success alone will not guarantee victory. He believes that the key to sustained success in the expanded playoff system is building a program that can compete year after year at a high level.

“We’re not just focusing on recruiting the best talent; we’re focusing on developing that talent and making sure our players are ready for the challenges of playing in the expanded playoff,” DeBoer said. “It’s about building a program that can handle the physical, mental, and emotional demands of a long season and a deep playoff run.”

The Future of College Football: What’s Next for the CFP?

As DeBoer looked ahead to the 2025 season, he acknowledged that the expanded playoff was just the beginning of the next chapter in college football’s evolution. The sport is growing more competitive, with more teams and conferences involved in the conversation for national championships. The expanded CFP will likely continue to evolve, with future changes that could further reshape the landscape.

“I think we’re only scratching the surface of what the expanded playoff can become,” DeBoer said. “The future of college football is incredibly bright, and the expanded playoff is just one part of that. We’ll see more teams emerge, new rivalries develop, and new challenges arise, but I believe that this new format is going to make the sport even more exciting and unpredictable than ever before.”