For all the talk of College Football Playoff expansion, it appears a handful of SEC coaches would prefer the current 12-team format – as long the committee wouldn’t “give away” seats to the Big 12.
David Ubben of The Athletic shared a story on Friday detailing SEC meetings where coaches voiced their displeasure with the Big 12 and its strength-of-schedule faults in regards to the CFP selection process.
BEAMER NAMES TECH
The argument here is that the Big 12 schedule isn’t tough enough to merit a spot in the postseason field. The SEC has earned eight different bids since the 12-team model went into effect.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, specifically, drew a line with Texas Tech, which lost just one conference game at Arizona State 26-22 as the No. 4 team in the country.
“I would hope strength of schedule will continue to factor in even more heavily than what it is, currently,” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said. “I mean, if you just look at, Texas Tech lost to Arizona State last season, if I’m not mistaken, who lost to Mississippi State, right?”
The Big 12 has increasingly backed a 24-team playoff model, which remains a major expansion proposal under consideration by the CFP Board of Managers. The jump from 12 to 24 teams would open the doors for multiple bids across the Big 12, ACC and schools among the Greater 6, like Tulane or James Madison.
BIGGER IS BETTER
The consensus among SEC coaches, though, is “growth,” Beamer said.
“We haven’t polled each other or put our heads together to figure out a universal policy or platform we’re on,” Beamer said. “But I would say most of the coaches are in agreement of more access, the better. Particularly, not quite understanding where strength of schedule comes into play, particularly in our league.”
Likening the playoff to March Madness, an expanded playoff only raises the stakes by introducing a larger field. More parity in the selection process makes for stronger matchups, and those competitive seedings will make for better television numbers – the absolute bedrock of college football.
The SEC isn’t upset with the Big 12 as a league, but rather its place in the 12-team format. Until that changes, don’t expect those guys to pipe down any time soon.
