<P> The 10 FBS conferences are formally and popularly divided into two groups: </P> <Ul> <Li> Power Five--Five of the six AQ conferences of the BCS era, specifically the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac - 12, and SEC . Each champion of these conferences is assured of a spot in a New Year's Six bowl, though not necessarily in a semifinal game . Notre Dame remains a football independent, but is counted among the Power Five because of its full but non-football ACC membership, including a football scheduling alliance with that conference . It has its own arrangement for access to the New Year's Six games should it meet certain standards . </Li> <Li> Group of Five--The remaining five FBS conferences--American, C - USA, MAC, MW, and Sun Belt . The other five current FBS independents, Army, BYU, Liberty, Massachusetts, and New Mexico State, are also considered to be part of this group . One conference champion from this group receives a spot in a New Year's Six game . In the first four seasons of the CFP, the Group of Five has yet to place a team in a semifinal . Of the four Group of Five teams selected for New Year's Six bowls, three have won their games . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Power Five--Five of the six AQ conferences of the BCS era, specifically the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac - 12, and SEC . Each champion of these conferences is assured of a spot in a New Year's Six bowl, though not necessarily in a semifinal game . Notre Dame remains a football independent, but is counted among the Power Five because of its full but non-football ACC membership, including a football scheduling alliance with that conference . It has its own arrangement for access to the New Year's Six games should it meet certain standards . </Li> <Li> Group of Five--The remaining five FBS conferences--American, C - USA, MAC, MW, and Sun Belt . The other five current FBS independents, Army, BYU, Liberty, Massachusetts, and New Mexico State, are also considered to be part of this group . One conference champion from this group receives a spot in a New Year's Six game . In the first four seasons of the CFP, the Group of Five has yet to place a team in a semifinal . Of the four Group of Five teams selected for New Year's Six bowls, three have won their games . </Li>

When did college football start playing 12 games