Big Ten unwilling to back off preferred CFP format without change by SEC, per report
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Big Ten teams have been entrenched with the preferred College Football Playoff model of 16 teams in a 4+4+2+2+1+3 bid system. Commissioner Tony Petitti has been vocal about the reasons for that format, even as other leagues have begun championing a potential 5+11 bid system.
Under the Big Ten’s preferred model, 4 automatic bids would be awarded to both the SEC and the Big Ten. The ACC and Big 12 would each get 2 automatic bids, and the highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion would be ensured a bid, with 3 at-large spots up for grabs. The 5+11 system would only guarantee bids to the 5 highest-ranked conference champions.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was clear at SEC Media Days that even expanding beyond 12 teams is not a foregone conclusion. Those discussions continue, but Sankey reminded everyone that the SEC and the Big Ten have joint power to make the final call on future formats for the Playoff.
However, if the format does change moving forward, the Big Ten is standing firm in its preferred method, according to a report from Brett McMurphy with On3 Sports. According to McMurphy, the Big Ten will not consider additional options without assurances that the SEC will add a 9th conference game in 2026 and beyond.
“There’s no way (Big Ten commissioner) Tony (Petitti) moves off four AQs,” a source said, per McMurphy. Another source told McMurphy there is “no chance” the B1G ever backs the 5+11 system, which means fans could see the 12-team system stay for 2026.
“We’re staying at 12 teams in 2026 unless something moves,” a source said.
That kind of impasse from the Big Ten is especially noteworthy after Sankey’s bold comments about the SEC schedule in Atlanta. While a decision in 8 vs. 9 games remains, Sankey emphatically stated that an 8-game schedule for SEC teams is far from a competitive advantage against leagues that play 9 conference games.
“I don’t believe there’s anyone looking to swap their conference schedule and the opponents with the opponents played by SEC teams and our conference schedule, be it 8 or 9,” claimed Sankey.
With the SEC and Big Ten holding all the power at this point, it will be interesting to watch if the two super conferences are able to reach a consensus to move a format change forward.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
