In response to threats directed at executive director Bill Hancock, College Football Playoff (CFP) officials have reached out to the FBI for assistance. The threats were made against Hancock, CFP staff members, and selection committee members after the controversial exclusion of undefeated ACC champion Florida State from this year's playoff.

Hancock confirmed that steps have been taken to ensure the protection of committee members and staff since the Selection Day on December 3. While he did not provide specific details, Hancock revealed that the CFP had been in contact with the FBI to inform them about the threats and seek their guidance on managing the situation.

The decision to exclude the first undefeated Power 5 conference champion in the CFP era received backlash, resulting in threats being directed at committee and staff members in their homes and offices. In addition, they received offensive and profanity-laced emails and phone calls.

Hancock expressed his dismay at the severity of the threats, calling them "over the top and inappropriate." Having been involved in college football for 35 years, Hancock stated that he had never witnessed anything of this nature before.

Despite the threats, Hancock does not believe that individuals will be deterred from volunteering to join the 13-member committee in the future. However, the CFP will have to fill the vacancies left by the seven committee members who rotate off this year.

Mark Keenum, the chair of the CFP's board of managers and president of Mississippi State, supported the committee's decision, stating that they followed the process correctly. The CFP committee selected Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama as the top four teams.

While no changes were made to the selection process, the CFP committee did approve the FBS commissioners' decision to require conferences to have a minimum of eight members in order to compete for a league title and earn an automatic bid in the new 12-team format. This requirement aligns with the NCAA bylaw regarding what constitutes a conference and aims to address issues with two-member leagues like Oregon State and Washington State.

The committee also discussed the proposed 5+7 format for the playoffs, which would reward the highest-ranked conference champions and potentially include seven other highest-ranked teams. However, the board did not vote on this model as the Pac-12 requested more time to resolve legal matters related to their conference. Despite this delay, it is expected that a 5+7 format will be implemented for the upcoming playoffs.

The CFP's decision to involve the FBI reflects their commitment to the safety and well-being of their members in the face of threats and intimidation. As college football continues to evolve, the CFP aims to maintain the integrity of the game and ensure fair competition in determining the national champions.