ATLANTA — At SEC Media Days in downtown Atlanta, Commissioner Greg Sankey didn’t offer many groundbreaking updates on the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP). But his remarks underscored a critical truth: college football’s postseason remains in limbo, and the standoff between the sport’s two most powerful conferences — the SEC and Big Ten — could mean no changes are coming anytime soon.
Sankey took the stage Monday to address a number of pressing uncertainties surrounding college athletics. From the ongoing overhaul of NCAA governance and legal challenges to player eligibility, to the implications of emerging revenue-sharing models, the landscape is shifting fast.
“There’s a lot going on,” Sankey said.
Still, no topic has garnered more attention or debate than the CFP. The original 12-year contract with ESPN ends after this season, and a new six-year extension begins in 2026 — potentially with an expanded format. However, that future remains murky, with no agreement on what the next playoff structure will look like.
Power Struggle Between the SEC and Big Ten
As CFP executive director Rich Clark confirmed, any new format must be approved by both the SEC and Big Ten, per a memorandum signed by the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame last year. And therein lies the issue: the two power conferences, once thought to be aligned, are at odds.
The format believed to have consensus support — the “4-4-2-2-1” model — would grant automatic qualifying spots to the top four teams from both the SEC and Big Ten, two from the ACC and Big 12, and one each to other top-ranked teams. While the Big Ten backs the model, the SEC has grown hesitant, especially after resistance from its own coaches during spring meetings.
In response, the SEC is now eyeing a “5+11” structure: five automatic bids for conference champions and 11 at-large spots. That approach gives the selection committee greater discretion and provides a larger at-large pool — a concept the Big Ten views skeptically, partly because the SEC only plays eight conference games, compared to the Big Ten’s nine.
Conference Scheduling and Selection Criteria
Could the SEC level the playing field by moving to a nine-game conference schedule? Perhaps — but only if changes are made to how teams are selected. As Sankey pointed out, every SEC team already plays a ninth game against another Power Five opponent, something the Big Ten doesn’t mandate.
And while the CFP is working on updating its selection process, the changes are still in flux. One proposed tweak would give more weight to games played against top 30–40 teams, boosting strength-of-schedule rankings. Another introduces a new metric called “strength of record,” which credits teams for high-quality wins and softens the impact of losses to elite opponents.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly emphasized how crucial the selection process is in shaping conference schedules and playoff access: “What’s the selection process going to be? That will generate the answer to the other questions — how many teams (in the playoff) and what your conference schedule looks like.”
Clock Ticking on 2026
Whatever the resolution, time is running out. ESPN has reportedly set a December 1 deadline for CFP officials to decide on a format for the 2026 playoff. Without agreement, the default 12-team format introduced this year may remain in place.
“There is a path for the current 12-team model to continue,” Sankey said. “That can stay if we don’t agree.”
Big Ten, Big 12, and the Broader Battle
As the SEC mulls its options, the Big Ten remains committed to the 4-4-2-2-1 structure. In a recent interview, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti defended the model, calling it a way to reduce the subjectivity of the selection process and encourage stronger non-conference schedules.
“We’re not asking to be handed anything,” Petitti said. “We want to play tough play-in games. We want to create incentives for schools to schedule tougher non-conference games.”
The Big 12 and ACC have staked out opposing ground. Speaking at Big 12 media days last week, commissioner Brett Yormark voiced strong support for the 5+11 model and criticized the Big Ten’s approach as being too professionalized.
“We are not the NFL. We are college football, and we must act like it,” Yormark said, adding that ACC commissioner Jim Phillips is aligned with his view and will voice his support at ACC media days in Charlotte.
The Stakes Ahead
Despite the discord, some progress is being made. Discussions around selection criteria and scheduling continue, and Sankey indicated optimism about the direction of talks. Still, he acknowledged the challenges: “Much more work is needed. We have to see the homework.”
For now, the SEC seems content holding its cards. Sankey, when asked about the Big 12’s firm stance, offered a veiled response that captured the ongoing gamesmanship of the playoff negotiations: “That’s part of the gambling experience. You always want to have a good hand to play. I think we have the best hand.”
Whether that hand leads to compromise or more stalemate remains to be seen. What is clear is that the future of college football’s biggest stage is still very much up in the air.
