(06-15-2025, 11:23 AM)Sam Leopold Wrote: This push for the SEC and Big Ten to get extra guaranteed automatic playoff berths feels fundamentally wrong. Conferences don't win spots in the playoff -- teams do, and should do so on their own merits. If the SEC, Big Ten or some other conference gets 4 teams into the playoff bracket it should be on the strength of those teams. Why should the SEC and Big Ten get preferential treatment and automatic inclusions in the playoff based on history that has no bearing on seasons to be played? Why are they so special?
First, everything is predicted on bumping the number of participants to 16.
Only the Big Ten is pushing hard for the guaranteed plan. For them, it would mean a new intra-conference playoff structure to determine the four teams. That would potentially increase the amount they receive from their TV partners.
The SEC doesn’t like the idea because it could result in fewer teams being selected to participate in the CFP. The SEC will base their final decision on whether they decide to play 8 or 9 conference games. If it’s eight (the current number), they will oppose the idea of guaranteed slots in the CFP. If they decide to increase the number conference games to nine, it is possible they will back the guaranteed plan.