3 days ago
Could CFP expansion threaten Cy-Hawk Series future?
Could CFP expansion threaten Cy-Hawk Series future?
Could College Football Playoff expansion spell doom for the future of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series?
As SEC Spring Meetings unfolded this week in Destin, Florida, CFP expansion was at the forefront of the discussion. The initial momentum seemed to be CFP expansion toward a 4-4-2-2-1 model.
In the 4-4-2-2-1 model, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive four automatic qualifiers into the College Football Playoff, while the Big 12 and ACC would each receive two. The highest-ranked Group of Six conference champion would also receive an automatic qualifier and then there would be three at-large bids.
Now, it seems that a 5+11 CFP expansion model is picking up steam. In the 5+11 model, each of the five highest-ranked conference champions would receive automatic qualifiers and then 11 at-large bids would be awarded to the highest-ranked teams by the CFP selection committee.
Either expansion road could be enough to convince the SEC to expand its league slate to nine conference games. That would match the Big Ten's current nine-game conference slate. Plus, it sounds like the SEC sticking with an eight-game conference slate is a non-starter for the Big Ten in terms of expanding the playoff to a 5+11 model.
Assuming the CFP expands to 16 teams and the SEC adds a ninth conference game, those changes may also set the stage for the reported Big Ten-SEC scheduling agreement that's been floated about.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly endorsed a potential Big Ten-SEC scheduling agreement on Wednesday.
"Our first goal would be wanting to play Big Ten teams as coaches," Kelly said. "I can speak for the room. We want to play Big Ten teams but you've got to get a partner. You've got to get a partner who says we're in for that, too. So we've made our voice clear, our athletic directors know that as well that we would like that. Our commissioner obviously heard us well. The rest will be up to what gets negotiated."
But, a potential Big Ten-SEC scheduling agreement could come with other scheduling consequences.
Under that scenario, Iowa would play a nine-game Big Ten slate and then add an annual SEC nonconference date on top of that.
With 10 of 12 games already filled up with Big Ten and SEC foes, would the Hawkeyes be willing to still sign up for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series game annually? That would mean an 11th Power Four contest and leave just one final open date for a likely FCS or lower-level FBS opponent.
In November of 2022, the University of Iowa and Iowa State University extended their scheduling agreement through the 2027 season. That ensures the date this season on Sept. 6 in Ames, a meeting in Iowa City on Sept. 12, 2026 and their contest in Ames on Sept. 11, 2027.
If the Big Ten and SEC do indeed strike up a scheduling agreement, the Cy-Hawk Series and other nonconference in-state rivalries for Big Ten and SEC programs could be at risk.
SEC schools Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina all have annual in-state rivalry games as does the Big Ten's Washington. USC also has its annual nonconference series against Notre Dame.
Iowa owns a 47-24 all-time mark in the series and have won seven of the past nine in the in-state rivalry.
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