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2d ago

SEC and Big Ten Deadlocked Over College Football Playoff Expansion

Without a deal on team allocation proposals or schedule adjustments, the playoff risks remaining at 12 teams beyond the December 1 deadline.

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Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; SEC commissioner Greg Sankey speaks to the media during the SEC Media Day at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images/File Photo
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Overview

  • SEC commissioner Greg Sankey reiterated that if no agreement is reached, the existing 12-team, five-conference champion format will remain in place.
  • SEC coaches have largely coalesced behind a 16-team model featuring five automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large bids, though unanimity is lacking within the league.
  • The Big Ten supports a 4-4-2-2-1 allocation system but insists it will only consider the SEC’s 5+11 proposal if both the SEC and ACC adopt nine league games.
  • Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti held talks four of the last five days, yet their conferences remain at loggerheads over bid allocations and related schedule demands.
  • A 2024 memorandum of understanding grants the SEC and Big Ten primary authority over playoff format changes, and stakeholders face a firm December 1 deadline to finalize the 2026 structure.