Greg Sankey Suggests CFP Might Stick with 12 Teams if Expansion Talks Stall: What You Need to Know

ATLANTA — SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey shared some thoughts on the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP) during SEC media days. He emphasized that expanding the playoff is not guaranteed. If he and other commissioners, particularly the Big Ten’s Tony Petitti, can’t find common ground, the format might just stick with 12 teams.

Currently, there’s a divide. Sankey mentioned that the SEC aligns more with the Big 12, ACC, and Group of 5 conferences, all of which prefer a different playoff format compared to the Big Ten. This divergence centers on automatic bids. Sankey commented, “We had a different view coming out of SEC meetings,” indicating strong opinions among coaches regarding how the spots should be allocated.

The Big Ten is advocating for a model that would give them and the SEC four automatic bids each, while the ACC and Big 12 would receive two bids each, plus one for the top champion from another conference. This proposal suggests a larger playoff field of 14 or 16 teams, which many thought was gaining traction.

However, Sankey suggested the current 12-team playoff, with five conference champions, could remain if a consensus isn’t reached: “I think there’s this notion that something has to happen with expansion.”

According to a memorandum of understanding from last year, the SEC and Big Ten can influence the playoff format starting with the 2026 season. Still, they are required to collaborate with other conferences. Sankey noted that he’s been in regular contact with the ACC’s Jim Phillips and Big Ten’s Petitti.

Rich Clark, head of the CFP, pointed out that if Sankey and Petitti cannot agree, it would revert to the status quo, keeping the current playoff structure. Clark highlighted the importance of reliable metrics to help the selection committee make informed decisions. Recent efforts include a new strength of record metric designed to enhance how teams are evaluated.

In terms of scheduling, the SEC is contemplating whether to increase its conference games from eight to nine. This decision is partly based on how it might affect their standing in the CFP. Sankey stressed that understanding the playoff’s evaluation methods is crucial for any decisions regarding their conference schedule.

As discussions continue, the direction of college football’s playoff system remains uncertain but crucial for all teams involved. With changing dynamics in conference alignments and playoff structures, fans and analysts alike are keeping a close eye on these developments.

Experts believe that how decisions unfold could reshape college football’s landscape. For instance, a recent survey indicated that 75% of fans favor an expanded playoff system, reflecting strong public interest in more teams competing for the title.

As conversations heat up, it’s clear that the future of the College Football Playoff will be a hot topic in the coming months.

For more insights on college football and its evolving playoff system, visit NCAA.

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