SEC, Big Ten Clash Over Changes to CFP Format: Report
The College Football Playoff format is likely going to change and/or expand in the near future, but how and when is going to depend on the leadership of the two conferences with the most power and sway: the SEC and the Big Ten.
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Ross Dellenger, senior college football reporter for Yahoo Sports, reported that FBS leadership gathered in North Carolina on Wednesday, June 18, to hear proposed formatting adjustments from CFP executive director Rich Clark and his group of analysts.
The CFP instituted a 12-team field for the first time following the 2024 regular season. Though, despite the financial success of the new playoff system, several criticisms were levied against it from both inside and outside the CFP structure.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith runs upfield as Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade pursues during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2021.Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY Network
"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," Dellenger wrote. "And the league also supports all four leagues — including the SEC and ACC — to play nine conference games as the Big Ten and Big 12 do."
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Dellenger added that the SEC is more concerned with expanding the CFP field with strength of conference and schedule playing the largest roles in the selection process.
"The SEC moved away from [the Big Ten's suggested] playoff format after its coaches publicly pushed back against it three weeks ago during the conference's spring meetings, instead now working toward a format that provides a bigger at-large pool, such as a 16-team model with five automatic qualifiers for conference champions and 11 at-large selections (5+11)," Dellenger continued.
The Big Ten and SEC have joint control over any future formatting changes to the CFP, Dellenger said.
Related: ACC Dynasty or College Football Playoff Bust?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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