‘Unheard of’: Rivals decry SEC, Big 10 automobile byes

Dave Wilson, ESPN Personnel WriterMar 1, 2024, 07:27 PM ET Close Dave Wilson is an editor for ESPN.com since 2010. He formerly operated at The Dallas Early Morning News, San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun.The College Football Playoff hasn’t revealed its very first 12-team field yet, however conversations on a 14-team competitors beginning in 2026 are already raising eyebrows among Big 12 and ACC coaches.In the 12-team playoff structure, the 5 highest-ranked conference champs are guaranteed an area in the bracket and the four highest-ranked conference winners will earn a first-round bye. However multiple sources informed ESPN that a person 14-team model that’s currently being thought about includes provisions for the SEC and Big 10 to get 3 automated qualifiers each– and the only two byes for their conference champions.” Automatic first-round byes for the Big Ten and SEC is like the NFL stating the Cowboys get a first-round

bye since they have more fans than the Bengals,”TCU coach Sonny Dykes told ESPN. “How outrageous is that?”Dykes ‘2022 Horned Frogs, the Big 12 runner-up, beat Big 10 champion Michigan in a CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl. Under this proposal, Michigan would have a bye as the league’s champion.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Coaches do not have the power to alter the format; that lies with their particular commissioners and ultimately the presidents and chancellors on the CFP board. Their feedback, however, is

part of the procedure along with that of athletic directors and university presidents. Sources have warned that absolutely nothing is done yet, however a number of coaches told ESPN they aren’t fans of this brand-new proposal.” A playoff format that guarantees a first-round bye to any team, division or conference before the season starts is unusual in any sport as far as I’m aware, “Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy stated Friday.”Based upon the property proposed, a team might be undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country and still not receive a first-round bye because groups were awarded one before the season even started. “A source informed ESPN today that balancing the desires of the power wielded by the SEC and Big Ten with their combined 34 teams is a fragile balancing act.”The balance in the space is how to acknowledge contributions of the Big Ten and SEC while likewise being fair and collective to the cumulative room,” the source said.That naturally consists of income, with sources stating the SEC and Big 10 could make in between 25%and 30%of CFP earnings.

The ACC and Huge 12 would follow with in between 15%and 20%. That leaves a smaller sized portion– someplace around 6% to 10% for the other leagues

and nearly 1%for Notre Dame.The Big 12 and ACC are paid for two ensured spots each in the proposal, one less than the Big Ten and ACC. NC State coach Dave Doeren stated he’s not in favor of having a set quantity of automatic qualifiers for conferences and expressed concern about the potential for a lower-ranked group to displace a higher-ranked one to fulfill that criteria.” Automatic first-round byes for the Big Ten and SEC resembles the NFL saying the Cowboys get a first-round bye given that they have more fans than the Bengals. How outrageous is that?” TCU coach Sonny Dykes “The champions from each of those four should have to be in, and I agree with that. … After the 4 champs, then let those groups that have earned that over the

course of their season with strength of schedule, their ranking, quality wins and all that be what matters.”While that may be far down the roadway, nothing is as worrying as 2 teams having their own locked-in bye weeks.” I feel the 4 conference champs ought to be treated equally

and all need to have a first-round bye, “North Carolina coach Mack Brown told ESPN.”It’s tough to be a champion, so it does matter

.” Gundy said the option is easy.”We require to let the groups decide it on the field and reward those who are most deserving, “Gundy said.ESPN’s Heather Dinich contributed to this report.