A second assembly between Large Ten and SEC leaders did not lead to main information, nevertheless it signaled probably vital adjustments coming down the road. 

Following the historic assembly between the 2 conferences in Nashville again in October, Large Ten and SEC athletic administrators and convention management met in New Orleans Wednesday to debate quite a lot of subjects, together with adjustments to the Faculty Soccer Playoff — and, within the SEC’s case, whether or not to broaden its personal convention schedule. 

Whereas Wednesday’s end result did not result in any direct adjustments, it is clear the Large Ten and SEC are persevering with to make their case for a CFP takeover. This is what we realized. 

Large Ten, SEC aligned on seeding adjustments

Large Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey each expressed assist for altering the CFP’s present seeding course of. The 2 commissioners agreed that the CFP Rankings, not convention championships, ought to decide computerized first-round byes. 

That conundrum got here into play within the first yr of the 12-team CFP when Boise State and Arizona State each acquired computerized byes into the quarterfinals regardless of being ranked behind a number of different groups within the discipline that needed to play a first-round sport, together with eventual nationwide champion Ohio State. 

It’s potential that want for change might be mirrored within the upcoming 2025 season, nevertheless it’ll require a unanimous vote. Up to now, there was appreciable skepticism that conferences just like the ACC and Large 12, which benefited this previous season from the format, would willingly give away that benefit for nothing. 

If the Large Ten and SEC cannot get it finished for this yr, it is a good guess to enter impact in 2026 when the 2 conferences acquire even better management over the playoff format.

Extra computerized qualifiers coming?

Talking of better management, the conferences are once more anticipated to push for a number of computerized qualifiers and an expanded playoff format. Sankey was mum on specifics Wednesday, saying he wished to debate the matter with the opposite commissioners first, however the expectation is that the Large Ten and SEC will strive for 4 computerized bids every, whereas the Large 12 and ACC would get two every if the sector expands to 14 or extra groups. 

It is a controversial stance and was shot down a yr in the past when the Large Ten pushed for it, nevertheless it feels nearly inevitable if the Large Ten and SEC put the complete would possibly of their powers behind it. As CBS Sports activities reported in December, leaders inside each conferences have critical considerations with the playoff choice committee’s capability to not solely select the most effective groups however seed them appropriately. That is not a knock on the committee members themselves however the pointers they function off of which result in inconsistency from year-to-year. The pondering goes that computerized qualifiers will do a greater job of getting the most effective groups into the sector and never penalize faculties for enjoying a tough schedule. That was a scorching speaking level after three-loss SEC groups Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina have been all overlooked of final yr’s discipline.

Faculty soccer’s credibility at stake as Large Ten, SEC intention to tighten stranglehold on playoff entry

Dennis Dodd

It’d additionally assist with a possible Large Ten-SEC scheduling association if marquee video games like Alabama-Michigan, Ohio State-Texas, and so forth. are rewarded and never penalized. 

9-game SEC schedule features momentum

The annual scorching matter at SEC spring conferences down in Destin appears to at all times be whether or not the convention will transfer to 9 convention video games or not. There have been years when it gaining momentum just for it to crumble when all of the ADs and presidents acquired all the way down to Florida. That might be the case but once more this yr, however there are causes to consider it might lastly occur.

One is ESPN being keen to ante up extra money for a ninth convention sport. It is lengthy been a sticking level for any motion — for years it hasn’t been well worth the SEC’s whereas, in keeping with sources — however there’s growing optimism that the numbers can be financially viable for a majority to get on board.

Secondly, if the Large Ten and SEC get their want with computerized qualifiers and an expanded playoff discipline, the draw back of a ninth convention sport is diminished. Extra money would not outweigh the chance of one other tough sport on the schedule that might preserve faculties like Alabama or South Carolina out of the playoff, but when faculties knew getting in they’d have a minimum of 4 spots assured, there’d be much less time wasted on evaluating apples to oranges towards faculties from different conferences; as a substitute, they’d deal with ending within the high 4 inside the SEC. 

“I believe there’s a whole lot of curiosity,” Sankey stated in keeping with ESPN. “Individuals change, positions change … understanding the choice committee’s perspective and the way the standards is utilized is a crucial factor.”