SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey made it clear on Monday during the SEC media days that the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) isn’t set in stone, bucking against the notion of simply expanding because of rising expectations. The discussion, centered around the jump to a possible 16-team format, remains unresolved, especially surrounding the question of automatic bids.
Sankey’s address provides a peek into the ongoing debate regarding how CFP invitations should be distributed. The SEC appears to be aligning with the preferences of the Big 12, ACC, and others for a more balanced approach, leaving the Big Ten isolated in its pursuit of a model that guarantees more automatic bids for its conference.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti has suggested a format that would give both the SEC and Big Ten four automatic bids each, with the ACC and Big 12 securing two, and an additional spot for the highest-ranked champion of a remaining conference. The expanded field would feature either 14 or 16 teams. Alternatively, other conferences are supportive of a “5+11” model, featuring automatic bids for the top five conference champions, complemented by 11 at-large bids.
Despite seeming momentum towards a 16-team format, Sankey stressed that the current 12-team structure remains a viable option. “We don’t need unanimity, but there needs to be a concerted effort to find common ground,” Sankey pointedly remarked, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and consultation among conferences.
Pressured by the weight of potential changes, Sankey underlined how the SEC stands ready with its memorandum of understanding, which could green-light a new format starting in 2026. However, he underscored the necessity of consensus-building, having already spoken extensively with ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips and had multiple communications with Petitti. The nature of these talks suggests a significant amount of political maneuvering remains.
Another layer of complexity in this scenario is the SEC’s own scheduling deliberations following the conference’s enlargement with the upcoming arrivals of Oklahoma and Texas. The SEC’s current eight-game conference schedule is under scrutiny, with discussions around possibly expanding to nine games. According to Sankey, the CFP’s evaluation criteria for measuring strength of schedule and strength of record hold significant weight in these considerations, as the conference conducts a balancing act between financial implications and strategic advantages.
Overall, while the discussions around expansion are loaded with complexities, Sankey’s insights suggest a determination to adapt and ensure the SEC remains a key player in shaping the future of the College Football Playoff landscape. As these talks progress, the interplay between conference strategies and collective decision-making will continue to drive the conversation forward into the 2026 season and beyond.
