Mandel: SEC going to 9 video games would possibly stave off Big Ten’s harebrained Playoff plan

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The SEC lastly going to 9 convention video games is nice for the followers, for the game and for ESPN’s rankings. It might additionally assist stave off a possible catastrophe.

It could possibly be the factor that will get Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti to again off his harebrained College Football Playoff proposals.

At Big Ten Media Days final month, one coach after one other complained about having to play a further convention recreation and the supposed drawback it causes them with the choice committee. (Conveniently ignoring that their league received extra berths than the SEC final season.) They, in addition to Petitti himself, used that speaking level in lobbying for a 16-team subject (earlier than that one way or the other jumped to twenty-eight) comprised primarily of automated berths decided by the league’s personal convention standings.

“When you get to a system that’s increasing the at-larges and the work of a selection committee, that’s when you need to understand how we’re competing in the regular season,” mentioned Petitti. “Look, at the end of the day, it’s really simple math. With 18 schools and nine conference (games) — we’re losing nine more games to start.”

If that’s actually the principle concern, then this lengthy nationwide nightmare must be over. No extra drawback with the committee, no have to preordain that some conferences get 4 AQs whereas others get two. Or to make the factor sufficiently big to make sure an unranked, 7-5 Michigan workforce will get to play in a 6 vs. 27 first-round recreation.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has already made it identified that his league helps the a lot easier 5+11 idea (5 AQs for convention champions, 11 at-larges.)

“We have preferred a 16-team format … with the maximum number of at-large spots,” Sankey reiterated on Paul Finebaum’s present Thursday.

It’s no coincidence the SEC lastly resolved their 40-year debate over 8 vs. 9 only a day after the CFP introduced tweaks to the schedule power metrics utilized by the choice committee in response to criticism final season. Not solely are they going to 9, they’re requiring a tenth P4 recreation in non-conference play.

“The current schedule strength metric has been adjusted to apply greater weight to games against strong opponents,” the CFP mentioned. “An additional metric, record strength, has been added to the selection committee’s analysis to go beyond a team’s schedule strength to assess how a team performed against that schedule.”

Sankey referred to as it, “an element that weighed in favor of the nine-game schedule being implemented.”

So now the ball is again within the Big Ten’s courtroom, with a Dec. 1 deadline approaching to make CFP modifications for 2026. Petitti and the coaches received the precise concession they so desperately wished from the SEC. If 4-4-2-2-1 or 28 groups nonetheless lives previous subsequent week, we’ll know this was by no means about schedule power and fully about creating tv stock.

Finally, talking of schedule power, a number of the Big Ten’s faculties might have to return to the drafting board themselves.

In defending his faculty’s choice to drop P4 non-conference opponents going ahead, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti mentioned mockingly, “We figured we would just adopt an SEC scheduling philosophy.” That didn’t age properly. Next season, when each SEC workforce might be enjoying no less than 10 P4 video games, the Hoosiers might be enjoying Colorado State, Howard and Western Kentucky.

Also at Big Ten Media Days, Penn State coach James Franklin referred to as his convention’s transfer to 9 video games, “maybe the worst decision the Big Ten has ever made.” In 2026, his workforce is enjoying these 9 video games, plus Marshall, Temple and Buffalo. Alabama might be dealing with 9 SEC foes plus West Virginia and Florida State.

For all of the complaints about one much less convention recreation or enjoying FCS groups in November, each laptop metric has lengthy mentioned the SEC’s schedules are the hardest within the nation. With an additional P4 foe, it will likely be no contest.

Whether the committee rewards them accordingly stays to be seen. But if SEC faculties are keen to take that danger lower than a 12 months after solely incomes three berths, AND they help a system with much more committee affect, the Big Ten and Petitti actually haven’t any excuse.

(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)