The Big Ten and SEC Playoff Ideas

College football likes to make people feel like their team or conference will have a fair shot in the CFB Playoff. The Big Ten and SEC are making it anything, but a fair shot.

The Big Ten Conference and the SEC are trying to make the College Football Playoff a two conference invitational tournament. That is not in the best interest of college football as a whole. These two conferences are the entities that have the most money.

In the current atmosphere of college football money is the only thing matters. Players get NIL money now and transfer to the highest bidder. Coaches are typically the highest paid state employee. Money rules and everything else in college athletics falls away.

Is anybody going to stand up to these two conferences?

Big Ten/SEC History

As the new deal for the new CFP was in the negotiating stage the Big Ten and SEC threw their considerable weight around in a way that felt a bit Darwinian. These two conferences have long held themselves above all others in college football. The amount of money that the Big Ten and SEC have brought to the table has far exceeded their television contracts. The teams from the two big conferences have dominated bowl games, CFP National Championship Games, and bringing in millions of dollars for their respective conferences.

The Big Ten and SEC are leading the discussions about the future the College Football Playoff. The discussions include expanding the current playoff teams from 12 teams to 14 or 16 teams. However, the discussions are also touching on who might get automatic bids, at-large bids, and how to maximize the money from the playoff.

Big Ten and SEC Issues

These two mega conferences are also trying to get more automatic bids for their members. If the Big Ten and SEC manipulate the system it will be at the expense of other conferences. However, the Big 12 and ACC are trying to stop this power move by the Big Ten and SEC. The Big 12 and ACC fear being marginalized if the SEC and Big Ten get their way.

With all these discussions on going there are some aspects of playoff expansion that the two big conferences have to work out. One of those issues is the eight game schedule in the SEC. Reportedly, the Big Ten is wanting the SEC to go to a nine game conference schedule. The SEC has been reluctant to go to that nine game schedule, but the eight game schedule has been something that has allowed the SEC to get into the playoffs often. The SEC has enjoyed playing lower division teams for years. This scheduling issue has irritated many fans and media.

The SEC has long held itself above reproach with anything in college football. Many fans have felt that the SEC has been playing on an unfair playing field. The Big Ten has been playing a nine game conference schedule since 2017, but wants the SEC to go to the nine game schedule.

Big 12 and ACC Concerns

Big 12 and ACC officials do not want to be looked at as “little brother” to the other two conferences. The Big 12 has endorsed the “5+11” model. The ACC also favors the “5+11” model. Both of these conferences have also proposed a “4-4-3-3-1+1” model which is not so favored by the two huge conferences. That proposal went out in early May. Another model that has been thrown out by the Big 12 and ACC is a “4-4-2-2-1+3” model. With this model the SEC and Big Ten would each get four auto bids. The Big 12 and ACC would get two bids a piece. One bid would go to the highest ranked Group of Six team. The final three bids would be at-large bids. However, one of those three at-large bids would contractually go to Notre Dame if the Fighting Irish finished inside the top 16 in the rankings.

Big Ten and SEC Invitational

Everyone realizes that some adjustments to the current playoff format are needed, but is it best for college football to go to the 14 or 16 team model. In the end, I believe college football goes with the 16 team format. I think the Big 12 and ACC deserve to have three bids a piece. The elitist mind set that the two mega conferences have needs to be held in check a bit. Most fans want a well-rounded playoff.

Michael J. Wilson-The Daily Waiver

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