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The dirt hadn’t yet settled on the Pac-12’s grave, and Greg Sankey already had plans for the dying conference’s spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The SEC commissioner joined “The Paul Finebaum Show” early in August to share his vision. As he saw it, the Pac-12’s disintegration should spark reconsideration of the number of automatic qualifiers for the expanded setup, as opposed to at-large bids.
“Circumstances have changed,” Sankey told Finebaum, “and I think it’s wise for us to take a step back and reconsider what the (CFP) format might look like.”
Sankey’s plan to reduce the number of automatic bids seemed logical given realignment, and increasing the at-large bids stood to benefit the SEC. Never mind that the originally devised six auto bids for conference champions would have remained beneficial for conferences like the Mountain West, American and Sun Belt. Sankey isn’t employed to look out for those leagues. He’s always wanted more at-large playoff spots, because more at-large bids means more SEC representation.
Sankey got his way. He almost always does. Such is the power of being college sports’ most influential figure.
On Tuesday, the CFP board of managers announced they had approved the “Sankey plan.” OK, so they’re not publicly calling it that. Officially, it’s the “5+7” format, but I’ll call a spade a spade.
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Mississippi State president Mark Keenum, who chairs the board of managers, called the format adjustment “very logical.”
“I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches and fans,” Keenum said in a news release.
At least in the SEC and Big Ten, anyway. Those power conferences will gobble up most, if not all, of the seven at-large bids, plus two automatic…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/whats-future-college-football-playoff-110625087.html
Author : The Tennessean
Publish date : 2024-02-22 11:06:25
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