ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains, the historical Biltmore Estate Hilltop Inn rises above an ocean of rolling greenery, its high stone walls and floor-to-ceiling windows all tucked between two giant peaks: Mount Mitchell and Mount Pisgah.
The two mountains loom like sentries, dominating the blue skyline, unmistakable giants in this scenic land.
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Inside the Biltmore, two goliaths within the landscape of college sports, the SEC and Big Ten, are at odds on the future of the industry’s most valuable product: the College Football Playoff.
Can these mountains be moved?
Well, here this week, CFP leaders took steps toward a change to the playoff selection process — yet another chapter in what’s already been a laborious journey toward potential expansion to 16 teams. The 10 FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director received a presentation from executive director Rich Clark and data analysts over adjustments to selection committee criteria in an effort to salvage the committee’s role itself and appease both Big Ten and SEC leaders — the two entities that, according to a memorandum signed last spring, control future format decisions.
Whether such a change brings the two conferences together on a format remains unclear. The two leagues must agree on a playoff model for it to move forward, Clark said on Wednesday from the Biltmore Inn, confirming what’s been previously reported based on last spring’s memorandum.
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But, for now, they are at an impasse.
The Big Ten wants a playoff where access is more like the NFL structure, determined through automatic qualifiers based on conference standings to limit the subjectivity of the selection committee. And the league also supports all four leagues — including the SEC and ACC — to play nine conference games…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/article/whats-holding-up-cfp-expansion-sec-and-big-ten-are-at-a-potential-impasse-on-these-key-issues-002200564.html
Author : Ross Dellenger
Publish date : 2025-06-19 00:22:00
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