SEC commissioner Greg Sankey believes the Southeastern Conference might actually lose out under a playoff format that guarantees it four teams each season—even though that format appears designed to favor the league.
At the SEC spring meetings on Monday, Sankey spoke out about a proposed 16-team College Football Playoff (CFP) plan that would give the SEC and Big Ten four automatic berths apiece. Critics argue the model heavily favors the richest conferences, but Sankey says the math doesn’t always support that claim.
“If you actually go back and do the research, that kind of format could cost us positions,” said Sankey. “We should be using football information to come to football decisions, not a political process.”
The Proposed Format
The controversial 16-team model includes:
- 4 automatic spots each for the SEC and Big Ten
- 2 automatic spots for the ACC and Big 12
- 1 automatic spot for the top-ranked Group of Five champion
- 3 at-large spots for the next highest-ranked teams
While that structure appears SEC-friendly, it limits the number of extra teams the conference could get during strong years. A more open format, such as the 5+11 model, might actually help the SEC place more teams in the playoff in high-performing seasons.
What Is the 5+11 Model?
- 5 automatic bids for the Power Five conference champions
- 1 bid for the top Group of Five champion
- 11 at-large bids for the highest-ranked remaining teams in the CFP rankings
In 2023, six SEC teams ranked inside the top 16. Under a 5+11 format, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina would have all been eligible.
By contrast, in a guaranteed 4-team setup, the SEC would only get four locked-in spots, even if it deserved more. And in a weaker year, the format would act as a safety net by securing four places regardless of rankings.
Real-World Examples
- In 2023, Alabama (No. 11) was left out of the 12-team playoff despite being highly ranked.
- The Big Ten, in that same year, had just four teams in the top 16—its fifth-best team (Illinois) was No. 20.
Sankey argues that in years when the SEC has several elite teams, the guaranteed four-spot format could actually hold the league back from securing more playoff berths.
Bigger Picture: Scheduling and Fairness
The SEC is also debating whether to add a ninth conference game, which could increase difficulty for teams and affect playoff chances. ESPN is reportedly offering the SEC more money if they expand the schedule, but schools want assurances they won’t be punished for tougher matchups.
Sankey voiced concerns about how teams are evaluated, especially when comparing records across conferences with different levels of difficulty.
“How do you evaluate a 9-3 team like Georgia with three tough road games against others with easier schedules? Just counting wins doesn’t reflect the whole picture,” he said.
Conclusion
Sankey’s core argument is that college football should reward the best teams, not just those with the best records or the biggest names. While formats that guarantee SEC spots might seem like a win, more flexible, ranking-based models might actually benefit the league in the long run.
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