A recent gathering of leaders from the Big Ten and SEC did not yield significant announcements, yet it hinted at possible noteworthy shifts in the future.

After their groundbreaking meeting in Nashville last October, athletic directors and conference executives from both conferences convened in New Orleans to explore various subjects, such as modifications to the College Football Playoff. The SEC is also contemplating an expansion of its conference schedule.

Although no immediate changes arose from this week’s discussions, it’s evident that both the Big Ten and SEC are proactively advocating for a more prominent role in the playoff system. Here’s what emerged from the talks.

Consensus on Seeding Reform

Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey both voiced their approval for revamping the current seeding methodology of the CFP. They concurred that the CFP Rankings should dictate who receives automatic first-round byes, rather than depending solely on conference championships.

This issue became particularly relevant during the inaugural year of the 12-team CFP when Boise State and Arizona State earned automatic quarterfinal byes despite being lower in rankings compared to several teams, including the eventual national champion, Ohio State.

The push for change may become a reality by the 2025 season, provided it receives unanimous approval. Currently, there is skepticism that conferences like the ACC and Big 12 would give up any advantages bestowed upon them by the present system.

If the adjustments aren’t made this year, it’s anticipated they could be effective by 2026 when both conferences will wield even greater influence over the playoff arrangement.

Potential for More Automatic Bids

Looking ahead, both conferences are likely to continue advocating for additional automatic bids and an enlarged playoff format. While Sankey was discreet about specifics in Wednesday’s meeting and indicated a desire to discuss the issue with other conference leaders first, it’s expected that the Big Ten and SEC will aim for four automatic bids each, with the Big 12 and ACC potentially securing two each if the playoff expands to 14 teams or more.

This proposal remains contentious, having been rejected a year earlier when the Big Ten pursued it. However, it now appears more plausible, especially if both conferences mobilize their collective power. As reported by CBS Sports last December, significant figures within both conferences have enduring concerns regarding the selection committee’s capability to select and seed teams effectively. This criticism targets the criteria used by the committee, which can lead to yearly inconsistencies. The argument in favor of automatic qualifiers is that they would enhance the likelihood of the best teams being included, without unfairly penalizing schools that face challenging schedules. The lack of inclusivity last year for three-loss SEC teams like Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina ignited discussions around these concerns.

Ensuring the integrity of college football as Big Ten and SEC work towards securing playoff access

Dennis Dodd

Furthermore, streamlining a potential scheduling partnership between the Big Ten and SEC can be beneficial if high-profile matchups like Alabama-Michigan and Ohio State-Texas are encouraged rather than hindered.

Momentum Building for a Nine-Game SEC Schedule

The perennial topic during SEC spring meetings often revolves around the possibility of adopting a nine-game conference schedule. There have been times when it appeared that momentum was building, only for discussions to lose traction when all athletic directors and presidents gathered, particularly in Florida. However, this year shows signs of potential progress.

One compelling factor is ESPN’s willingness to allocate additional funds for a ninth conference game. For years, this has been a contentious issue since the financial justification for change was lacking, but there is growing optimism that the numbers will be beneficial for a majority to embrace the idea.

Additionally, if the Big Ten and SEC realize their aims of attaining automatic bids and an expanded playoff framework, any drawbacks associated with the ninth conference game could be lessened. Although the financial advantages of an extra game typically overshadow the risk of facing another challenging opponent that might jeopardize playoff aspirations for teams like Alabama or South Carolina, knowing at least four playoff spots would be guaranteed could shift the focus. Schools would then prioritize finishing in the top four within the SEC rather than comparing records with other conferences.

“There’s significant interest,” Sankey stated according to ESPN. “People evolve, positions evolve… understanding the selection committee’s viewpoint and how the criteria are applied is a crucial aspect.”