Greg Sankey reiterated that the SEC and Big Ten hold all the cards when it comes to the future CFP format, but conceded that it may stay the same if an agreement can't be reached.

ATLANTA –The Big Ten will not back off its preferred College Football Playoff format, guaranteeing the league four automatic qualifiers, unless the SEC decides to add a ninth conference game, sources ...

The Big Ten's plan for a rigged College Football Playoff with automatic berths ran out of gas. The SEC drained its fuel.

The Big Ten, which has won the last two national championships, favors a 4-4-2-2-1 format, giving four automatic bids each to the SEC and Big Ten and awarding the ACC and Big 12 two bids apiece.

While the CFP contract from 2026 through the 2031 season requires the SEC and Big Ten to consult other leagues about prospective changes to the playoff system, it also provides them with the ...

Are these changes enough to convince SEC officials to move to a ninth conference game? It’s uncertain, but that decision likely needs to be made for 2026 by the time this football season kicks off.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said that despite frequent conversations with Big Ten counterpart Tony Petitti, the two leagues have yet to agree on the College Football Playoff format.

The Big Ten, which has won the last two national championships, favors a 4-4-2-2-1 format, giving four automatic bids to the SEC and Big Ten and awarding the ACC and Big 12 two bids apiece.

While the CFP contract from 2026 through the 2031 season requires the SEC and Big Ten to consult other leagues about prospective changes to the playoff system, it also provides them with the ...