The SEC and Big Ten are reportedly advocating for changes to the College Football Playoff format, seeking adjustments.

The landscape of college football has evolved significantly over the last decade, with the College Football Playoff (CFP) serving as the ultimate culmination of the season. The CFP, which replaced the previous BCS (Bowl Championship Series) system, expanded the postseason to allow for a four-team playoff, creating a more competitive and inclusive way to determine the national champion. However, despite the success of the CFP in providing exciting matchups and crowning a legitimate champion, its format has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly from two of college football’s most powerful conferences: the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big Ten Conference.

Both the SEC and Big Ten are among the most competitive conferences in college football, with a rich history of success, large fan bases, and significant financial power. These two conferences have dominated the CFP era, with teams from both conferences frequently appearing in the semifinals and competing for the national title. In light of their sustained success, it is no surprise that both the SEC and Big Ten are pushing for changes to the CFP format.

In this article, we will examine the motivations behind the SEC and Big Ten’s push for adjustments to the CFP, the potential changes they are advocating for, and the implications these proposed changes could have on the future of college football.

The Current College Football Playoff Format

Before delving into the proposed changes, it is essential to understand how the current CFP format works. The College Football Playoff, which has been in place since the 2014 season, involves four teams selected by a committee of 13 members, including former coaches, athletic directors, and media members. These four teams are chosen based on a variety of factors, including their regular-season performance, strength of schedule, conference championships, and other key criteria.

The CFP is structured as a single-elimination tournament, with the top four teams being matched up in two semifinal games. The winners of the semifinals advance to the national championship game to compete for the title. The current four-team format has been praised for its ability to create exciting matchups and provide a definitive national champion, but it has also faced criticism for its lack of inclusivity and its tendency to leave out deserving teams from power conferences, Group of Five schools, and even Power Five teams that may have had a strong season but were left out due to subjective rankings.

Critics of the current format argue that it is too exclusive, with only four teams making it into the playoff each year. Many feel that this restricts opportunities for teams that have had strong seasons but are penalized by factors such as tough schedules, conference championship losses, or the perceived bias of the selection committee. This has led to calls for an expanded playoff format, with many stakeholders in college football, including the SEC and Big Ten, pushing for change.

The SEC and Big Ten’s Dominance in the CFP Era

The SEC and Big Ten have been the two most successful conferences in the CFP era. Since the playoff’s inception in 2014, teams from these two conferences have consistently been among the top contenders for the national title. The SEC, with its powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, has won multiple national championships in the CFP era. Meanwhile, the Big Ten, led by programs like Ohio State and Michigan, has also seen consistent success, with Ohio State winning the national championship in 2014 and consistently appearing in the playoff.

For the SEC and Big Ten, the current four-team format has not been particularly disadvantageous, as their teams have frequently been included in the playoff. However, both conferences are recognizing the flaws in the system and the impact of exclusion, particularly as college football’s landscape continues to shift. The SEC and Big Ten are currently exploring ways to ensure greater inclusivity, especially given the growing importance of conference championships and non-conference scheduling.

Both conferences have seen firsthand how a lack of playoff spots can hurt their teams. For example, in 2021, the Big Ten’s Ohio State team, despite having one of the best records in the country, did not make it into the playoff, while Alabama and other SEC teams were included. Similarly, in 2022, despite strong seasons, the Big Ten’s Michigan and Penn State teams faced stiff competition for playoff spots, with other conferences being represented. These kinds of snubs have intensified the push for an expansion of the playoff system.

The Push for Expansion: Why the SEC and Big Ten Want Changes

The SEC and Big Ten’s push for changes to the College Football Playoff format is driven by several factors, many of which stem from their dominance in the sport. However, there are also broader motivations that reflect the shifting dynamics of college football as a whole. Here are the key reasons why the SEC and Big Ten are advocating for an expanded playoff:

1. Ensuring Greater Representation

Both the SEC and Big Ten believe that the current four-team format is too restrictive and leaves out deserving teams. They argue that with so many strong programs in their conferences, it is unfair to limit the playoff field to just four teams. While teams from these two conferences have been well-represented in the playoff, there have been years when programs with strong records and resumes were left out due to the limited number of spots.

By expanding the playoff, the SEC and Big Ten believe that more teams will have the opportunity to compete for a national championship, and the system will be more reflective of the depth and quality of talent across college football. This would also provide a chance for more teams from conferences like the Pac-12, Big 12, and even Group of Five schools to have a shot at the playoff, which would help level the playing field.

2. Financial Incentives

The financial landscape of college football is another driving force behind the push for changes to the CFP format. The College Football Playoff generates millions of dollars in revenue each year, with television contracts, sponsorships, and ticket sales all contributing to a sizable financial windfall. The SEC and Big Ten, as the two most financially lucrative conferences in college football, stand to gain significantly from an expanded playoff.

An expanded playoff would increase the number of games played in the postseason, thus leading to more television revenue and ticket sales. With college football’s growing reliance on television rights and broadcasting deals, the SEC and Big Ten could potentially benefit from these financial opportunities, further solidifying their dominance within the sport. In addition, an expanded playoff would create more opportunities for teams from these conferences to compete for championships, leading to a higher profile and more national attention for their programs.

3. Leveling the Playing Field

Another significant factor driving the push for playoff expansion is the desire to level the playing field for programs across the country. In recent years, the SEC and Big Ten have seen an increasing gap between the top-tier programs in their conferences and teams from other conferences. By expanding the playoff, the SEC and Big Ten believe that other programs, such as those from the Pac-12, Big 12, and ACC, will have more opportunities to break into the top tier and compete for championships.

A larger playoff bracket would also help address the power imbalance between the “haves” and “have-nots” of college football. In the current format, some conferences, particularly the Group of Five, feel excluded from the playoff discussion, regardless of how strong their teams may be. Expanding the playoff would allow more teams to have a fair chance at competing for the title, creating a more competitive and inclusive environment for all.

4. Ensuring the Health of the Sport

Both the SEC and Big Ten recognize the shifting landscape of college football, particularly with the growing influence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, the transfer portal, and changes in scheduling. As college football continues to evolve, both conferences see an expanded playoff as a way to ensure the sport’s continued relevance and vitality. A more inclusive playoff system would likely attract more fans, create more buzz around the postseason, and keep the sport exciting for both players and spectators.

What Changes Are Being Proposed?

While the SEC and Big Ten have made their stance clear in terms of pushing for adjustments to the CFP format, the specifics of what they are proposing have yet to be finalized. However, some potential changes have already been discussed by stakeholders in the college football world.

One of the most common suggestions is expanding the playoff from four teams to 8 or 12 teams. An 8-team playoff would allow for more at-large bids and give conference champions an automatic berth into the playoff. A 12-team format would further expand the field, creating even more opportunities for teams to make the playoff.

Another potential change is modifying the way teams are selected for the playoff. Currently, the selection committee determines the four teams based on rankings, but some have suggested that a more structured system, such as automatic bids for each of the Power Five conference champions, might be a fairer way to determine who gets into the playoff. This would address concerns that the current system often leaves out deserving teams from strong conferences.