SEC, Big Ten to push for seeding changes to 2025 College Football Playoff

[GopherTheJugular]

Maybe people need to think what the old NFL used to be like. They had a wild card because there were only 3 divisions and they needed 4 playoff teams from each conference. Once they went to 4 divisions per conference, the wild card could have gone away. Instead they kept it (and added more) and then a 9-7 team like Packers about 15 years ago ended up getting in and winning it.

Old NFL vs modern NFL playoffs...? The new ones generate more revenue and excitement, but I think that's more from making the playoffs their own "mini-season" as opposed to it being the best way to determine who was best during the season.

 

[gophernut1]

I think what the SEC and B1G are doing is genius. If they can make it so the top team get a bye that team 3 and 4 our guaranteed to get in, then championship takes on a completely different look.

Imagine for B1G:

#1Penn State vs. #2Oregon = playing for the bye in the CFP

#3Ohio State vs. #6Michigan to get into the CFP
#4Indiana vs. #5 Iowa to get into the CFP

Minnesota is the tied with Michigan but misses out because of head to head loss.

For SEC

#1 Texas vs #2 Georgia for bye

#3 Tennessee vs. #6 Alabama
#4 Missioui vs #5 Ole Miss

This would be must watch football. The conference games in other conferences would cover the remaining 4-6 bids and B1G and SEC share 8 and get a revenue field day with this format. With bigger confenences this format just makes sense.

 

[GopherGrit]

The fact that any changes for this upcoming 2025 season require all 10 confs (and ND) to agree to the changes unanimously, makes me doubt anything changes this year from last year. Don't think that's a big deal for one more year.

The big changes are coming in 2026.

They're either going to 14 or 16, and I think 16 is better. Also hope they scrap conference championship games altogether and just start the playoff a week earlier.

It's likely going to be 4 auto-bids each from Big Ten and SEC, then 2 for ACC and Big 12, then figure out what to do with the other 4.

What I like most about that is how much it diminishes the roll of the selection committee.

 

[MisterGopher]

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/sec-move-nine-conference-games-110732553.html

In one potential scenario, the SEC and Big Ten would each have four play-in games among the top eight teams in their respective conference standings, with the winners advancing to the CFP. The ACC and Big 12 would play two games from the top four teams in their respective conferences.

That potential plan would’ve looked like this in 2024:

SEC: (1) Texas vs. (2) Georgia in the championship game, (8) Ole Miss at (3) Tennessee, (7) Texas A&M at (4) Alabama, and South Carolina (6) at LSU (5).

Big Ten: (1) Oregon vs. (2) Penn State in the championship game, (8) Minnesota at (3) Indiana, Michigan (7) at Ohio State (4), and Iowa (6) at Illinois (5).

 

[GopherGuy82]

That would make it interesting for the Gophers. It would make it a lot easier to get in.

 

[GopherGrit]

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/sec-move-nine-conference-games-110732553.html

In one potential scenario, the SEC and Big Ten would each have four play-in games among the top eight teams in their respective conference standings, with the winners advancing to the CFP. The ACC and Big 12 would play two games from the top four teams in their respective conferences.

That potential plan would’ve looked like this in 2024:

SEC: (1) Texas vs. (2) Georgia in the championship game, (8) Ole Miss at (3) Tennessee, (7) Texas A&M at (4) Alabama, and South Carolina (6) at LSU (5).

Big Ten: (1) Oregon vs. (2) Penn State in the championship game, (8) Minnesota at (3) Indiana, Michigan (7) at Ohio State (4), and Iowa (6) at Illinois (5).

OK, so this is doing the opposite of what I was hoping ... scrapping the championship game altogether and just giving the Big Ten's and SEC's respective 4 slots to their top 4 teams (determined some way).

I think this would require an update to the rules? I think they only allow one exempt game (meaning, it doesn't count against the 12 total for regular season) just for a conference championship game. This is a whole slate of four games.

More TV inventory and more TV revenue is always going to win out. I was foolish to think they'd get rid of games ...

 

[upnorthkid]

OK, so this is doing the opposite of what I was hoping ... scrapping the championship game altogether and just giving the Big Ten's and SEC's respective 4 slots to their top 4 teams (determined some way).

I think this would require an update to the rules? I think they only allow one exempt game (meaning, it doesn't count against the 12 total for regular season) just for a conference championship game. This is a whole slate of four games.

More TV inventory and more TV revenue is always going to win out. I was foolish to think they'd get rid of games ...

Would be very interesting to see if this would keep fans tuned in through the season or not? At some point the regular season becomes less and less worthy of spending your time and money on when you’ll have playoff “opportunity” for so many more teams each year. In that scenario, I don’t really see the point in chain watching games like I do every Saturday when I know basically half the big ten and sec are going to have winner take all for playoff spots anyway

 

[mngg11]

If you're not in a major P2 conference then you should have to go undefeated to make the CFP. Top 10 from the SEC and B1G and then the 2 highest ranked unbeatens from the rest of the pack. If there are not 2 unbeatens outside of the B1G and SEC then the next highest ranked teams from the SEC and B1G get in.

MLB doesn't let minor league teams into its playoff and neither should college football.

Taking the potential for an underdog upset out of the equation would turn a lot of people away and is one of the beautiful things about cfb, it's one of the things that separates it from the pros. I already watch two pro league conferences duke it out on Sundays. Yeah, I'm interested in the Gophs having improved chances at making the playoff, but not at the expense of the further dilution of the sport.

 

[upnorthkid]

Taking the potential for an underdog upset out of the equation would turn a lot of people away and is one of the beautiful things about cfb, it's one of the things that separates it from the pros. I already watch two pro league conferences duke it out on Sundays. Yeah, I'm interested in the Gophs having improved chances at making the playoff, but not at the expense of the further dilution of the sport.

The best game of the playoff was ASU-Texas and that was a team we wanted to eliminate from the field in this argument to instead bring in Alabama who lost to Vandy, OU, Tennessee, and Michigan's backups.

As they expand the playoff if it's just to put in more SEC-B10 teams, it's going to hurt viewership long term. This year you had the novelty of the playoff and the semifinals still had a huge drop in ratings despite having nothing but name brand programs in the field

 

[Dave H]

Conference titles which still mean something you’d hope and autobids to get in. Just meaning field is set. Seeding can still change.

Not a chance. You would sit the most important players to prevent injury. Especially if the game was against a heated rival who might be out for cheap shots.

If you lock the field before the CCG you make that game worthless to most teams.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Taking the potential for an underdog upset out of the equation would turn a lot of people away and is one of the beautiful things about cfb, it's one of the things that separates it from the pros.

To me that has already happened. Northern Illinois beating Notre Dame didn't mean nearly as much last year as it would have in the past. Frankly, any upset of a "blue blood" is now going to be treated as a mulligan in this new system.

I'm not concerned at all about removing traditional things (like David vs. Goliath upsets) out of the expanded playoffs. Anyone who wants "tradition" shouldn't be in favor of a 12 team playoff anyways.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

The best game of the playoff was ASU-Texas and that was a team we wanted to eliminate from the field in this argument to instead bring in Alabama who lost to Vandy, OU, Tennessee, and Michigan's backups.

Yeah, unfortunately for my argument, this was a bad year for a 10-2 weakling to punch above it's weight and take on a powerhouse down to the wire.

 

[GoldGoldGold]

I'd like the top four ranked teams get the byes and the conference champs not in the top four get home games. Make Penn State or a Texas play in Boise or Tempe or maybe next year in Ames.

I never thought that the first four seeds do not get home field games and seeds 5-8 do. It clearly does not make sense to do it that way. One solution would be to go to 8 teams with the top four seeds getting home games.... Or go to 16teams and the top eight get home games.... Either one works for me. This would also eliminate the byes.

 

[upnorthkid]

Not a chance. You would sit the most important players to prevent injury. Especially if the game was against a heated rival who might be out for cheap shots.

If you lock the field before the CCG you make that game worthless to most teams.

just like oregon sat guys against PSU in a meaningless game? seeding can still change which makes the game have some meaning. You're not out for cheap shots when that will hurt your team because if you're not currently in the playoff, it's a win and in scenario. For the higher rated team, it may mean a bye given seeding can change.

 

[disco]

I'll say it again. There should be 16 teams so we eliminate byes (which I think could be actually detrimental). ALL FBS conference champions should get an autobid, and then the rest at-large based on the rankings. Seed from there. Does that mean that the MAC and CUSA etc. champs get in? Yep. Just like the UMAC does in D3. I'd rather see that than the 4th place B1G school get in, even if that meant the Gophers missed it as a result.

 

[disco]

I'm not concerned at all about removing traditional things (like David vs. Goliath upsets) out of the expanded playoffs. Anyone who wants "tradition" shouldn't be in favor of a 12 team playoff anyways.

I'm not supporting "tradition." I'm supporting managing this like every other level of football and basketball does. Win your conference. Make the playoffs. I don't care one bit if that means first round blowouts. I'd still rather see Coastal Carolina get in than 4th place Mississippi State or the like.

 

[Gopher Mac]

I'll say it again. There should be 16 teams so we eliminate byes (which I think could be actually detrimental). ALL FBS conference champions should get an autobid, and then the rest at-large based on the rankings. Seed from there. Does that mean that the MAC and CUSA etc. champs get in? Yep. Just like the UMAC does in D3. I'd rather see that than the 4th place B1G school get in, even if that meant the Gophers missed it as a result.

I am not disagreeing with you but last year The Ohio State had a 7-2 conference record for forth place. They won the Natty They will never go for an idea that will not allow them in over lesser ranked teams. I don't like a system that allows a forth place team win the National title. I think regular season should mean more. I like 8 teams tops.

 

[Panthadad2]

I'll say it again. There should be 16 teams so we eliminate byes (which I think could be actually detrimental). ALL FBS conference champions should get an autobid, and then the rest at-large based on the rankings. Seed from there. Does that mean that the MAC and CUSA etc. champs get in? Yep. Just like the UMAC does in D3. I'd rather see that than the 4th place B1G school get in, even if that meant the Gophers missed it as a result.

This won't happen IMO. The Power conferences would split off into a separate division before they allowed much weaker G5 teams to push them out of the playoffs like what happens in D3 and even FCS. There's too much money involved.

 

[disco]

This won't happen IMO. The Power conferences would split off into a separate division before they allowed much weaker G5 teams to push them out of the playoffs like what happens in D3 and even FCS. There's too much money involved.

Then they should split. I'd be in favor of that. But as long as there isn't a formal split, then Florida Atlantic as a FBS school should have as much shot at the playoffs as Ohio State as an FBS school. Otherwise, why are they at the same level?

 

[Dave H]

just like oregon sat guys against PSU in a meaningless game? seeding can still change which makes the game have some meaning. You're not out for cheap shots when that will hurt your team because if you're not currently in the playoff, it's a win and in scenario. For the higher rated team, it may mean a bye given seeding can change.

Teams will and you will be on here decrying it when it happens.

Just end the CCG...it is meaningless in the new system anyways.

 

[Dave H]

I'll say it again. There should be 16 teams so we eliminate byes (which I think could be actually detrimental). ALL FBS conference champions should get an autobid, and then the rest at-large based on the rankings. Seed from there. Does that mean that the MAC and CUSA etc. champs get in? Yep. Just like the UMAC does in D3. I'd rather see that than the 4th place B1G school get in, even if that meant the Gophers missed it as a result.

At least that set up is defensible.

 

[Dave H]

I'm not supporting "tradition." I'm supporting managing this like every other level of football and basketball does. Win your conference. Make the playoffs. I don't care one bit if that means first round blowouts. I'd still rather see Coastal Carolina get in than 4th place Mississippi State or the like.

All of this. I remember when in hockey blowouts happened with the conference qualifiers from smaller schools...until they didn't. Over time the smaller conferences will get stronger as athletes realize they can make the grand stage even at a MAC school.

 

[golf]

Leave as is. P2 conferences have enuf advantages.
Magic of football is the home stadium. All games need to played at stadium of highest seed.

 

[Some guy]

Leave as is. P2 conferences have enuf advantages.
Magic of football is the home stadium. All games need to played at stadium of highest seed.

I think it would be sweet if final 4 was two bowl games on New Year’s Day Rose and something else

And national title game was two Saturdays after that (so somewhere between 8 and 14 days later)

 

[upnorthkid]

Teams will and you will be on here decrying it when it happens.

Just end the CCG...it is meaningless in the new system anyways.

I mean that’s fine with me if they do. Haven’t seen it happen other than in meaningless bowl games. Their choice if they’d want to give up a possible bye or seeding I guess

Ending the CCG is also an option

 

[upnorthkid]

At least that set up is defensible.

This is the setup I think would be the most fun.

Makes the regular season matter, everyone a seat, tough shit to OSU or Alabama if they finish 4th. Play better and don’t lose to Michigan or OU when your season is on the line like the rest of the schools have to do every week

 

[disco]

All of this. I remember when in hockey blowouts happened with the conference qualifiers from smaller schools...until they didn't. Over time the smaller conferences will get stronger as athletes realize they can make the grand stage even at a MAC school.

Remember when Union beat the Gophers for the natty? I was upset, because I'm a Gopher fan. But if they'd have beaten UND (obviously) or Michigan or Denver, etc., it would have been a great story.

 

[Dave H]

Remember when Union beat the Gophers for the natty? I was upset, because I'm a Gopher fan. But if they'd have beaten UND (obviously) or Michigan or Denver, etc., it would have been a great story.

I do...I watched it on my computer with bad wifi while living in a cruddy apartment in Seattle. I was upset but also was just happy we made that run in general.

 

[Ope3]

Remember when Union beat the Gophers for the natty? I was upset, because I'm a Gopher fan. But if they'd have beaten UND (obviously) or Michigan or Denver, etc., it would have been a great story.

Union is part of the ECAC, which I only bring up because that has always been one of the "major" hockey conferences since the early 60s.

It's actually the one Hockey Conference that remained pretty stable going back to when I started to follow the Herb Brooks led Gophers in the 70s. It's primarily Ivy and similar schools. Union joined back in 1991.

 

[disco]

Union is part of the ECAC, which I only bring up because that has always been one of the "major" hockey conferences since the early 60s.

It's actually the one Hockey Conference that remained pretty stable going back to when I started to follow the Herb Brooks led Gophers in the 70s. It's primarily Ivy and similar schools. Union joined back in 1991.

True, but Union is a tiny, tiny school, and hardly a hockey blueblood. I guess that's what I was getting at. And isn't the ECAC probably the lowest ranked of the D1 hockey conferences? Either that or Atlantic Hockey.