Changes are coming to college football's postseason. Anticipating a switch to a four-team playoff, the Big 12 and SEC have announced a deal on a new bowl series that will consist of the champions of each conference.

The Big 12-SEC bowl showdown will be played on New Year's Day beginning in 2014. Specific details for the matchup, including host sites, will be announced later.

"This is a landmark agreement between two of the most successful football conferences during the BCS era to stage a postseason event," said acting Big 12 Conference Commissioner Chuck Neinas. "The creation of this game featuring the champions of the Big 12 and SEC will have tremendous resonance in college football."

The move positions the conferences for the expected switch to the current playoff format. If one or both of the league champions are selected to play in the playoff, another team would be selected for the game.

"This new game will provide a great matchup between the two most successful conferences in the BCS era and will complement the exciting postseason atmosphere created by the new four-team model," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive Most importantly, it will provide our student-athletes, coaches and fans with an outstanding bowl experience."

BCS executive director Bill Hancock has said 11 conference commissioners and Notre Dame's athletic director will present a "small number" of options - two to seven configurations - for a four-team playoff to their leagues at conference meetings this summer.