How the SEC-Big Ten working to control the College Football Playoff affects Clemson, ACC

The SEC and Big Ten are tightening their grip on the College Football Playoff, leaving the rest of the sport, including Clemson and the ACC, to deal with the fallout.

Reports this week confirm that once the new ESPN contract begins in 2026, the two powerhouse conferences will have full control over the CFP’s format. Their plan prioritizes their own leagues, securing four automatic bids each while limiting the ACC and Big 12 to just two apiece. The highest-ranked Group of Five champion gets one bid, and the CFP selection committee’s influence will be drastically reduced.

This power move has been in motion for a while. Last spring, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti threatened to break away from the CFP unless they were given more control. The other FBS conferences and Notre Dame ultimately caved, signing an agreement that hands the two leagues authority over the future playoff structure.

Even before the new deal takes effect, Sankey and Petitti are pushing for immediate changes. At their joint athletic directors’ meeting in New Orleans, they agreed to alter the current seeding process, favoring the highest-ranked teams over conference champions. This comes after Boise State and Arizona State earned byes in last year’s playoff, which the SEC and Big Ten opposed.

For any changes before 2026, all FBS commissioners and Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua must unanimously agree. But with the SEC and Big Ten dictating the sport’s direction, their influence may be tough to stop.

Now, the ACC and Big 12 face a critical decision—push back or risk being permanently sidelined. If they don’t act soon, college football’s future may belong entirely to the SEC and Big Ten. It’s a bit scary to see what college football is becoming.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: SEC-Big Ten…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/sec-big-ten-working-control-155342340.html

Author : Clemson Wire

Publish date : 2025-02-21 15:53:00

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