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There’s a subtle but important fight beginning Tuesday, one last stand for rest of college football against the overwhelming might of the SEC and Big Ten.
One last chance to show some negotiation chops.
The Big Ten and SEC want straight seeding for the 2025 College Football Playoff. The ACC, Big 12 and the other six FBS conferences don’t.
The question is, how badly do the Big Ten and SEC want it?
Bad enough to make the other conferences financially whole no matter the format? Bad enough for guarantees with the future College Football Playoff format beginning in 2026, where the Big Ten and SEC don’t need unanimous agreement to change the rules?
Simply put, everyone gets a vote for the 2025 format, and it must be unanimous. Beginning in 2026 and moving forward, the Big Ten and SEC can do whatever they want.
That’s what makes Tuesday’s CFP meeting in Dallas so critical. Despite an offseason full of acknowledging future format change beginning in 2026, there’s still 2025 to deal with.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a touchdown pass as Tennessee defensive back Rickey Gibson III (1) defends during the first half of their College Football Playoff game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
In 2026 and beyond, the SEC and Big Ten will set the format, and how the more than $1 billion annually is paid out — just for the CFP. They were given this power last year when the new media rights contract was negotiated because the rest of the Bowl Subdivision didn’t want the two super conferences pulling away and forming their own association.
And taking the College Football Playoff with them.
“It would be great for our sport if we had a system that rewarded the regular season, and the road teams take to get there,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said late last season. “I can’t imagine a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/sec-big-ten-push-college-110657106.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2025-02-25 11:06:00
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