The SEC race is bigger (and better) than the CFP race. That’s a problem for college football

We’re barely three months into the first season of a 12-team College Football Playoff, and there’s no denying it now.

The SEC race has sucked the life from the CFP race – and could have wide-ranging implications for the future of the sport.

From looming changes to the new CFP contract format beginning in 2026, to impacting the SEC’s long-awaited decision on annual conference games, to the anticipated SEC-Big Ten scheduling agreement.

Everything will be affected by the rollout of this first 12-team CFP.

Or as one SEC athletics director, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the process, told USA TODAY, it’s short-term pain for long-term gain.

Translation: the SEC may have a deserving team (or teams) miss the 2024 CFP, but that potential scenario could set the framework for the new CFP format beginning in 2026 and beyond.

There are numerous ways the SEC and Big Ten – the sport’s super conferences wielding the most power – can push for change in the 2026 format. Among the possible changes: restructuring the selection committee, moving to 14 (or even 16) teams or guaranteeing a specific number of spots for the two super conferences.

“I don’t know what the they (CFP selection committee) are looking at,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart. “I wish they could really define the criteria.”

More: College Football Playoff predictions: Projecting who would make 12-team field after Week 12

While there are still three weeks of games remaining before this year’s final CFP poll, there already are indicators of the selection committee placing a premium on overall wins instead of strength of schedule and wins of significance. A committee charged with looking at entire resumes has apparently reverted to the tired historical method of more wins equals higher ranking.

In other words, the SEC…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sec-race-bigger-better-cfp-130249231.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-11-19 13:02:00

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