College Football: Big 12 Commish Stands Firm on 5-11 Playoff Model Preference
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is reaffirming his stance on maintaining just five automatic qualifiers if the College Football Playoff (CFP) expands from 12 to 16 teams, as many expect after this season. He noted that this approach would differ from providing each of the four power conferences multiple guaranteed bids.
During the Big 12 football media days, Yormark stated, “We have the responsibility to do what’s right for college football … not what’s right for one or two or more conferences.” He expressed his belief that the 5-11 playoff format is fair and emphasized earning a spot on the field, should an expansion occur. “I love the current format, but if we’re going to expand, let’s do it in a way that’s fair and equitable and gives everyone a chance,” he added.
As the SEC and Big Ten will hold more influence over the playoff structure starting in 2026, following ESPN’s $7.8 billion contract activation, Yormark remains confident that the proposed 5-11 format would be beneficial both now and in the future. He mentioned that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips shares this viewpoint and is expected to voice it during his league’s media days in the coming weeks online casino casino.
“We do not need a professional model because we are not the NFL,” Yormark emphasized. “We are college football and we must act like it.” In the current 12-team format for this season, the five highest-ranked conference champions secure guaranteed playoff spots. This year, however, the top four highest-ranked champions are not automatically given the top four seeds that would come with first-round byes.
Among potential 16-team playoff configurations, discussions include four automatic qualifiers from both the SEC and Big Ten, along with two each from the Big 12 and ACC. Last season, the Big 12 only had conference champion Arizona State making it to the playoff.
“We want to earn it on the field,” Yormark remarked. user friendly interface “It might not be the best solution today for the Big 12, given your comments about automatic qualifiers, but long-term, knowing the progress we’re making, the investments we’re making, it’s the right format for us 11 vipph login.” As Yormark enters his fourth year as Big 12 commissioner, he believes the recent NCAA House settlement will positively impact all conferences, especially if the College Sports Commission effectively enforces the rules within the revamped system.
“It will. I have a lot of faith in Bryan Seely,” Yormark said regarding the former Major League Baseball executive now serving as CEO of the new CSC. g-sabong play.com “It should create a level playing field, and I’m not giving that up.” Upon Yormark’s arrival in 2022, the Big 12 was already transitioning and remained at 10 teams. BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF joined the league the following year. Texas and Oklahoma, both former national champions while in the Big 12, completed their planned move to the SEC last year. bs88 club This transition allowed for Pac-12 schools Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah to join what is now a 16-team Big 12.
Yormark concluded by saying, “I think parity matters, and I think ultimately over time, and that’s hopefully sooner than later, there’ll be a couple of our schools that will emerge, you know, as elite schools that are always part of the conversations at the highest levels. And that’s what we’re working towards. But it starts with parity and being competitive top to bottom. And I think we’re there.”
What are your thoughts on the proposed playoff model?
