Momentum Builds for an Expanded Playoff with Multi-AQs Per League: Big Ten and SEC Lead the Charge
As college football continues to evolve, the debate around the structure and format of the College Football Playoff (CFP) has reached a critical point. With an increased focus on fairness, inclusion, and accessibility, the momentum for an expanded playoff featuring multiple automatic qualifiers (AQs) from major conferences like the SEC and Big Ten has grown substantially. This shift comes as these two powerhouse conferences—home to some of the most dominant teams in the sport—join forces in a bid to reshape the future of college football.
Ahead of a joint meeting between the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big Ten Conference (B1G), discussions surrounding a potential new format for the CFP and league title games have intensified. The prospect of multiple automatic bids for both the SEC and Big Ten is gaining traction, and with it comes a reimagining of the traditional league championship games and scheduling models. The proposed 9-game SEC schedule and an SEC-B1G scheduling package, both integral to the changes on the horizon, promise to transform the landscape of college football as we know it.
The Case for Expanded CFP and Multi-AQs Per League
Currently, the College Football Playoff includes just four teams, with the top-ranked teams earning an invitation to the playoff, regardless of conference affiliation. While this system has worked for the most part, there are growing concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of a four-team format. The biggest criticisms include the exclusion of teams from major conferences that might have earned a spot but were left out due to a variety of factors, such as conference strength, schedule difficulties, and perceived biases toward certain programs.
The Big Ten and SEC, as the two most powerful conferences in college football, have long been at the center of this conversation. With multiple teams consistently in the hunt for playoff spots and national championships, both conferences have argued that they deserve more representation in the postseason. Expanding the playoff to include more teams, and offering multiple automatic qualifiers (AQs) per conference, would better reflect the strength and depth of these leagues, while also allowing for more teams from other conferences to compete on a level playing field.
A key advantage of this expansion is the inclusion of teams that otherwise may have been overlooked or eliminated based on subjective rankings. For instance, a team that performs admirably within its conference but fails to stand out in the national rankings would be rewarded with an automatic berth. This would provide a better representation of each conference’s competitive balance and give teams that might otherwise fall short in a four-team system a chance to compete for the national championship.
Furthermore, the addition of multiple AQ spots per league would allow conferences like the Big Ten and SEC to more accurately reflect their dominance in the sport. Both conferences have teams that regularly finish in the top 10 or top 25, and they often battle each other for supremacy in the regular season. Giving each of these conferences more playoff spots would reward that level of competition and better highlight the quality of play across their schedules.
SEC and Big Ten’s Role in the Expansion Debate
The upcoming SEC-B1G joint meeting is set to address these issues head-on, with both conferences leading the charge for a more inclusive and expansive postseason. As the two conferences with the most competitive programs in college football, the SEC and Big Ten have significant influence in shaping the direction of the sport. Their decision to collaborate and push for multi-AQs per league underscores their commitment to making college football more equitable and exciting for fans.
Part of the motivation behind this collaboration is the recognition that an expanded playoff with multiple AQ spots would ultimately benefit both conferences. With so many elite programs competing for limited playoff spots, the SEC and Big Ten see the opportunity to create a system that better accommodates their top-tier teams. The result would be a more exciting playoff, featuring a broader range of schools and players, while also increasing the stakes for teams during the regular season.
Additionally, the two conferences have a shared interest in improving the overall scheduling structure of college football. Both the SEC and Big Ten are known for their grueling conference schedules, which often feature top-ranked opponents each week. A reimagined scheduling model that includes a 9-game SEC schedule, combined with an SEC-B1G scheduling package, would further elevate the regular-season matchups and set the stage for a more exciting and competitive postseason.
The 9-Game SEC Schedule and SEC-B1G Scheduling Package
The SEC has traditionally operated with an 8-game conference schedule, meaning that each team plays eight conference games and four non-conference games during the regular season. However, with the increasing push for a more comprehensive and competitive schedule, the SEC is moving toward a 9-game league slate, which would further enhance the quality of play and allow for more meaningful games between top-tier teams. This change is expected to lead to more exciting matchups, with fewer teams relying on non-conference games to boost their resumes.
A 9-game SEC schedule would mean that every team faces tougher competition on a weekly basis, and it would help level the playing field for teams that may have previously been at a disadvantage in terms of strength of schedule. It also opens the door for the SEC to explore a more rigorous rotation of matchups within its own conference, ensuring that fans get to see their favorite teams face off against the best opponents year in and year out.
In tandem with the 9-game SEC schedule, the SEC-B1G scheduling package aims to introduce even more exciting inter-conference games, featuring matchups between top programs from the two powerhouses. The possibility of regular cross-conference games between the SEC and Big Ten would significantly raise the stakes of the regular season, providing an additional layer of competition and excitement for fans. These games could help solidify the strength of both conferences and provide even more drama leading into the playoff selection process.
Reimagined League Title Games and the Future of College Football
As discussions surrounding the expanded playoff, the 9-game SEC schedule, and the SEC-B1G scheduling package continue to gain traction, the future of college football is increasingly in focus. A reimagined system that features multi-AQs per league, a more demanding schedule, and heightened inter-conference competition would result in a more exciting and fair postseason. It would also place more emphasis on regular-season games, where every matchup could have major implications for playoff positioning.
The SEC and Big Ten are well-positioned to lead the charge in this transformation. With the backing of their powerful programs and influential leadership, these conferences are poised to shape the future of college football for years to come. As the discussions unfold and the proposals move closer to implementation, the landscape of college football is set for a major overhaul, one that promises to elevate the sport and provide fans with a more inclusive, competitive, and thrilling playoff system.
As the industry inches closer to a new CFP format, one thing is clear: the future of college football is bright, and the SEC and Big Ten will continue to be at the forefront of its evolution.