Overview

• Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark reaffirmed support for a 5+11 playoff model during the league’s media days in Frisco, Texas.
• The proposal would award automatic berths to the five highest-rated conference champions and leave 11 at-large spots to the CFP selection committee.
• The Big Ten and SEC prefer a format granting four automatic bids to each league, which would constrain the Big 12 and ACC to two each.
• The CFP committee has launched a full audit of its selection process and plans to incorporate new data-driven criteria before finalizing the 2026 format.
• Yormark said he is relatively confident the playoff will expand to 16 teams in 2026 and expects multiple Big 12 schools to qualify next season.