Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is making a firm case for an expanded College Football Playoff this week, insisting that the 5+11 model is a compelling option for the future of college football. During his address at Big 12 Media Days, he emphasized his commitment to a 16-team playoff, suggesting this format would include five guaranteed bids while allowing for an impressive 11 at-large berths.
Yormark underscored the philosophy behind this playoff structure, stating, “We continue to believe the 5 and 11 model proposed by the Big 12 and the ACC is the right playoff format for college football. We want to earn it on the field. We do not need a professional model because we are not the NFL. We are college football and we must act like it.”
Looking ahead, 2025 marks the second season of the 12-team playoff, but the conversation about formats for 2026 and beyond remains open. As it stands, if the playoff does expand, the 5+11 model seems to be gaining traction. Yormark is optimistic that ACC commissioner Jim Phillips will continue to support this idea, as coaches within the SEC have also shown favorable responses during recent spring meetings.
In comparison, there’s another proposal making the rounds that would grant the Big Ten and SEC a significant advantage, ensuring they each receive twice as many guaranteed spots as the Big 12 and ACC. In this alternate format, the Big Ten and SEC would each field a minimum of four teams, with the other major conferences guaranteed two spots each. The proposal also includes a spot for the highest-ranked conference champion outside of those premier leagues, along with three at-large bids to round out the field.
The appeal of the 5+11 format is its simplicity and fairness. It retains the principle that the top five ranked conference champions earn their places, paralleling the set-up from the 2024 season, while the remaining slots would be filled by the 11 highest-ranked teams that didn’t capture their conference titles.
Yormark is confident about this direction, declaring, “Five-Eleven is fair. You want to earn it on the field. It might not be the best solution today for the Big 12 … but long term, knowing the progress we’re making, the investments we’re making, it’s the right format for us. And I’m doubling down today on five-eleven.”
Notably, the Big 12 faced challenges last season, as it was the sole Power Five conference that secured just one playoff spot. Arizona State clinched that coveted entry, beating Iowa State to represent the league. The competitive nature of the Big 12 didn’t go unnoticed, with a four-way tie at the top of the standings showcasing the depth of talent, though each of those teams ended with two conference losses. After ASU’s victory in the title game, BYU and Iowa State were left just outside the playoff picture, ranked fifth and sixth among teams that hadn’t qualified.
“I firmly expect the Big 12 to earn multiple College Football Playoff bids this year and to show once again that we can compete with anyone,” Yormark asserted, echoing a belief in the conference’s potential to showcase its competitiveness at the highest level. As discussions around playoff expansion continue, all eyes will be on how these proposals unfold and what they could mean for the future of college football.
