Officials from the Big Ten and SEC convened in New Orleans on Wednesday, generating much speculation about the discussions, particularly concerning the College Football Playoff. ESPN’s Heather Dinich reported that SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti are advocating for a “straight seeding” approach from the College Football Playoff committee’s rankings while ensuring that five champions secure guaranteed spots. Meanwhile, Yahoo! Sports noted that discussions have intensified between the two power conferences regarding CFP expansion, aiming for more automatic qualifiers than other conferences. Although these details have yet to be confirmed, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum warned the conferences against overextending their influence despite their dominance in college football.
On the show Get Up, Finebaum acknowledged the conferences’ concerns about the current seeding format but emphasized that it would be “completely wrong” to guarantee three spots each for the SEC and Big Ten. “I understand the seeding issue, but I believe they are completely wrong about guaranteeing bids,” Finebaum stated. He noted that even SEC fans were expressing dissatisfaction with the idea, suggesting that it unfairly stacks the odds in favor of certain teams before the season begins. “Sure, the SEC and the Big Ten are the top leagues, and last year the SEC secured only three spots, with schools barely making the cut. However, we could also see a scenario where a third or fourth team with a less impressive record, like 8-4, takes a spot over others with better seasons. This approach could prove detrimental,” he added.
While the notion of three (or even four) automatic bids may seem appealing to the dominant conferences, it poses risks, particularly if weaker teams from the Big Ten or SEC qualify over programs from other conferences that had stronger seasons. Given the ongoing debates surrounding CFP selections, such a situation could amplify complaints and concerns over perceived snubs even further.
