B1G commissioner hails play-in games as ‘rational’ system for CFP selection
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti is preparing to lead his league’s media days on Tuesday, with the annual event kicking off live from Las Vegas. While it will be interesting to hear what he has to say publicly, he sat down with Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports beforehand to weigh in on the College Football Playoff debate.
After the Big 12 went public with its support of a 5+11 Playoff format, the SEC, led by commissioner Greg Sankey, was less committal to a preferred model. It was then reported that Petitti would not support a 5+11 format without the SEC moving to 9 league games, and he reinforced his beliefs with Dellenger.
“I found myself sitting there thinking that play-in games seem so rational as we look at folks talk about points and subtracting numbers and adding numbers,” said Petitti. “I’m thinking, ‘This is the rational system and the one where we play games is radical?’
“I admire the work they’re putting into it and all the stuff they’re talking about and adding and subtracting and listening to mathematicians and scheduling experts. But all of that is more valuable than two teams playing on the field? OK.”
Petitti went on to say his position remains unchanged, preferring the 4+4+2+2+1+3 Playoff model with play-in games built into the system. He also admitted that position is unlikely to change until the power conferences agree to play the same number of conference matchups (likely 9), and the selection process is solidified.
Other systems, particularly the 5+11 model, would put too much weight into the hands of a subjective selection committee for Petitti’s liking. He also downplayed the idea that more data and criteria to determine the at-large spots are truly needed.
“I’ve heard my colleagues around other leagues say that a lot of work has to be done to the selection committee and that’s where I have a hard time on what that actually means,” Petitti said. “In talking to some of the folks in our room, our ADs that have been on that (selection) committee, I’ve yet to hear someone say they need more data or stuff to look at. You can come up and make metrics, but ultimately it’s just people evaluating what’s put in front of them.”
Petitti also confirmed that he is just fine with the Playoff remaining at 12 teams for 2026 if an agreeable consensus cannot be reached with the SEC:
“Earlier on, we felt expansion would be a good thing, but we’re not going to expand unless we really feel like the format and access makes sense,” Petitti said. “It has to make the regular season better. If it doesn’t do that, why are we doing it?”
With the power to determine the future model(s) in the hands of the SEC and the Big Ten, it seems unlikely a change is near barring a sudden change.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
