Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger dropped a bombshell report that the SEC and Big Ten are now the sole decision-makers on the future of the College Football Playoff. Reportedly, the two conferences delivered an ultimatum to the rest of college football threatening to spin off into their own world if they didn’t get final say on the format. Here’s what it means:
Syracuse’s track to a playoff will stay narrow. The ACC will not have an equally wide path into the playoff. Reportedly, the Big Ten and SEC will grant themselves 4 automatic slots into the ultimate field, while the ACC and Big 12 will get two spots each. The field will likely expand to either 14 or 16 starting in 2026. The Big Ten and SEC want to make sure they are not the teams cut from the bubble. So instead it’ll be schools from everywhere else. This means SU will have to finish in one of the top 2 slots in the ACC to make the playoff.
The ACC will be even more frustrated with its existence. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips says, “there needs to be fairness and access to the championship.” For leagues like the ACC and Big 12, who have some big bands and prideful schools, the paranoia about being slapped around like a little brother will bear out in many ways. But they’ll have no control. It’s the SEC and Big Ten’s world and you can’t exist without them. Look for FSU, Clemson and UNC to keep trying to find ways to the SEC or Big Ten. If they’re tired of being second fiddle now, wait until it’s even more transparent.
SU’s spot in musical chairs is safe… for now. If this is what it takes to stabilize the entire sport, Syracuse will take it. Once upon a time they were about to be left out to fend for themselves and a spot in the ACC opened. The (football) road of UConn since then is a cautionary tale. You’d rather be on the inside than the outside, no matter how little power you have. If the SEC and Big Ten like this arrangement, then it means they aren’t spinning off to do their own thing yet. And that means you still get that all important seat at the table.
While it’s distasteful and obnoxious that two conferences continue to pilfer college sports to make it look unrecognizable and tilt the scales in their direction, ratings have never been higher and the playoff was a resounding success. So for now, Syracuse and the ACC have to hold their noses and deal with it. It’s better than the alternative.
