Greg Sankey On 12-Team CFP: Timing Issues And SEC Coach Feedback

David

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Post on May 30, 2025

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Greg Sankey on 12-Team CFP: Timing Issues and SEC Coach Feedback

The College Football Playoff expansion to a 12-team format is looming, but significant hurdles remain. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey recently addressed key concerns surrounding the implementation timeline and feedback from coaches within his own powerful conference, offering insights into the ongoing negotiations and potential roadblocks. The shift to a larger playoff is a monumental undertaking, impacting scheduling, revenue distribution, and the overall landscape of college football.

Timing Concerns: A Tight Deadline for a Complex System

One of the biggest challenges highlighted by Sankey is the compressed timeframe for implementing the new 12-team CFP. The current agreement expires after the 2025 season, leaving little room for error in finalizing the intricate details of the expanded format. This includes negotiating crucial elements like:

• Selection process: How will the 12 teams be selected? Will it involve automatic bids for conference champions, or will a purely ranking-based system prevail?
• Revenue sharing: How will the increased revenue generated by a larger playoff be distributed among the participating conferences and institutions? This is a particularly sensitive issue, given the disparity in resources between the Power Five and Group of Five conferences.
• Scheduling implications: The expanded playoff will inevitably require adjustments to the regular season schedule, impacting non-conference games and potentially impacting rivalry matchups.

Sankey emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, stating that "reaching consensus on these critical details requires careful consideration and extensive dialogue among all stakeholders." The pressure to finalize the plan before the 2025 season is immense, potentially leading to compromises that may not fully satisfy all parties involved.

SEC Coach Feedback: A Mixed Bag of Opinions

While the SEC boasts some of the most successful college football programs, even within this powerhouse conference, opinions on the 12-team CFP are varied. Sankey alluded to a range of feedback from SEC coaches, reflecting the inherent complexities of the expansion. Some coaches express concerns about the potential for increased risk of injury with more games, while others focus on the impact on recruiting and the overall balance of the season.

The sheer number of teams involved introduces a higher level of uncertainty, potentially making the regular season less impactful in determining playoff berths. This could lead to debates about the relative importance of strength of schedule versus conference championships in the selection process. Sankey acknowledged these concerns, suggesting that addressing them requires a clear and transparent process that ensures fairness and competitive balance.

The Path Forward: Navigating Challenges and Securing a Successful Launch

The transition to a 12-team CFP is a complex undertaking that demands careful planning and collaboration. Sankey's comments underscore the challenges involved, from negotiating the intricate details of the new system to managing the diverse perspectives of coaches and stakeholders. The success of the expansion hinges on effectively addressing these challenges and fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among all involved parties. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the 12-team CFP launches smoothly or encounters significant delays and potential controversies. The future of college football’s postseason hinges on the successful navigation of these complexities.

Call to Action: What are your thoughts on the 12-team CFP expansion? Share your opinions in the comments below!