When the College Football Playoff expanded from 4 teams to 12 teams, everyone thought the new 12 team model would be here to stay for at least a decade, as we saw with the 4 team model. Instead, the theme of the offseason after just one season in this format has once again expanded the playoffs. The only real change that was made was the move to straight rankings rather than what everyone saw last season, where conference champions received higher rankings.
The reason the playoffs weren’t extended this offseason despite each conference agreeing was because the conference commissioners couldn’t agree on what they wanted. The most popular model has been the 5+11 model which gives each Power 4 conference champion an automatic bid as well as a non-Power 4 conference one bid before taking the top 11 at-large bids.
The SEC and Big 12 support the model, but the Big Ten hasn’t been willing to take the plunge for one reason. Tony Petitti believes the SEC should move to a 9-game SEC schedule, but Greg Sankey didn’t seem willing. This topic is the only reason the expansion has been slow, but everyone can finally get the resolution they want.
According to Ross Dellenger From Yahoo Sports, this week, SEC leaders moved closer to the nine-game championship schedule, which is huge news.
In meetings this week, SEC leaders moved closer to adopting a nine-game conference football schedule, according to sources. @YahooSports. The decision rests with the presidents, who are expected to meet soon on the issue.
–Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 21, 2025
If the SEC moves to a nine-game championship schedule, it will be a massive win for the sport and the fans. The college football schedule would benefit from another week of meaningful games rather than letting the SEC go after schools that don’t belong on the same field. Moving to 9 games may help bring back some of the rivalries lost when the SEC added Oklahoma and Texas.
The move would also make expanding the College Football Playoff much easier than it has been this offseason. With the SEC and Big Ten “Super Leagues” both playing 9 championship games, finding a model that better fits both leagues is much easier and should help achieve a resolution.
The ball is in the school presidents’ court and if they approve the change, it will give us a chance to finally have a Playoff format rather than continuing discussions.
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