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Big Ten ADs react to SEC’s reported interest in 5+11 format for College Football Playoff
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Big Ten athletic directors reportedly have a condition for potentially joining the SEC in supporting a College Football Playoff format of 5 automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large bids.
Per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, many B1G ADs are only on board with the format if the SEC agrees to play 9 conference games. As Dellenger has noted, the next CFP format for 2026-31 is ultimately up to B1G and SEC leadership, with instructions “to have ‘meaningful consultation’ and collect ‘input’ from the other conferences before making their decision.”
This is important, as the SEC and Big Ten – together jointly – hold authority over any future playoff format, according to a CFP memorandum they signed last spring.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) May 28, 2025
Background on that can be found in this story from February – https://t.co/Rcl99Wndj9
With control of the future of the CFP, the SEC and B1G have reportedly been aligned. In February, there was reporting that a 14- or 16-team CFP with 4 automatic bids each for the SEC and B1G could have the SEC going to 9 conference games and adding regular-season meetings with B1G opponents sold as a separate TV package.
The new CFP format, however, has not yet been decided. It has been a hot topic at this week’s SEC Spring Meetings in Destin. On Wednesday, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey shared that he talked with league coaches about a 5+11 model – 5 automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large bids – as an alternative.
The SEC has yet to decide on whether to play 8 or 9 conference games. It will be interesting to see how that decision affects the CFP decision, or vice versa.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
