Big changes are in store for college football this year, after university presidents voted two years ago to implement the changes this year.

Read Antonya English’s explanation if you’re a bit confused:

Explaining the new college football playoff system

Are you ready for the playoffs? If you’re like most college football fans, you’ve been waiting for this for a very long time. Now two years after university presidents voted to approve it, a four-team system takes affect this season. The semifinalists will be announced Dec. 7. “The (selection) committee will select the best four teams, period, no strings attached,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff (and executive director of the now-dead BCS).

“We think the playoff gives us the best of both worlds. Our goal with the BCS going into this was to maintain the best regular season in sports. We’ve done that with the playoff. Four teams is not too many. It does not go too far. It goes just far enough. It also preserves the bowl system and the bowl experience for student-athletes top to bottom, which is very important to us.”

Does that mean when this season’s national champion hoists the trophy Jan. 12 in Arlington, Texas, the controversy that often surrounded the BCS title will fade? Most likely not. Expect teams at Nos. 5, 6 and maybe even 7 to have their gripes. But that’s a discussion for another time. For now, here are a few things you need to know about the system.