{"version":"1.0","reviewedOn":"2026-10-08","fieldSize":18,"routes":[{"teams":2,"name":"Skip two rounds","entry":"Quarterfinals","wins":3},{"teams":8,"name":"Skip one round","entry":"CFP Bowl Weekend","wins":4},{"teams":8,"name":"Start in the opening round","entry":"Campus opening round","wins":5}],"example":{"kind":"Illustrative mechanics, not a historical field or forecast","assumptions":"The field is ranked 1–18 after championship games. No. 3 was No. 2 before playing its required title game and retains a double bye. The other double bye goes to No. 1. Five selected champions are Nos. 1, 4, 7, 12 and 16, including a qualifying non-Power Four champion. Assume no other championship-path claims change these groups.","champions":[1,4,7,12,16],"doubleBye":[1,3],"singleBye":[2,4,5,6,7,8,12,16],"openingPairs":[[9,18],[10,17],[11,15],[13,14]],"openingWinners":[18,10,11,13],"bowlPairs":[[2,18],[4,16],[5,13],[6,12],[7,11],[8,10]],"bowlWinners":[18,4,5,6,7,8],"quarterfinalPairs":[[1,18],[3,8],[4,7],[5,6]]}}