Greg Sankey: 12-team College Football Playoff 'can stay if we don't agree'

As “Talkin’ Season” heats up with SEC Media Days underway, the future of the College Football Playoff remains a key point of discussion. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has been at the forefront of the conversation, and he noted what could happen if the sides don’t come to an agreement.

Sankey confirmed the Big Ten and SEC have “decision-making authority” around the College Football Playoff, but the two sides have differing views on the future format. The SEC started to shift its focus toward a 5-plus-11 model while the Big Ten supports a 4-4-2-2-1 format.

Sankey said he keeps constant communication with Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, as well as the other power conference commissioners. He acknowledged the different perspectives and also shared what could happen if there isn’t an agreement: The 12-team model currently in place could stay.

“I think Tony and I spoke probably four out of five days last week. I think Jim [Phillips] and I either talked on the phone or communicated three out of five days last week. We had a different view coming out of Destin around the notion of allocations, if you will,” Sankey told reporters in Atlanta. “And I think you’ll probably hear that again from our coaches. The Big Ten has a different view – that’s fine. We have a 12-team playoff, five conference champions, that can stay if we can’t agree.

“I think there’s this notion that there has to be some magic moment and something has to happen with expansion, and it has to be forced. No. When you’re given authority, you want to be responsible in using that authority. I think both of us are prepared to do so.”

The 5-plus-11 format has a strong supporter in Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, which he made clear last week. That model would have spots for the five highest-ranked conference champions and 11 at-large teams. Under the 4-4-2-2-1 format, the SEC and Big Ten, while the Big 12 and ACC would get two apiece. One spot would then be for the Group of 6, and it would include three at-large bids.

With the authority the two conferences have, Greg Sankey said the SEC and Big Ten can take the lead on formulating ideas for the future. However, unanimity is not necessary, though he sees an expectation from the outside that something needs to happen quickly.

“The upfront responsibility – and this may be where some of the confusion lies – is we have the ability to present a format or format ideas, gather information, see if we can all agree within that room,” Sankey said. “We don’t need unanimity. And ultimately, if not, there’s a level of authority granted to the Big Ten and SEC together.

“But there’s a lot to that. It’s not you just show up, you pound your fist and something happens. I hope that that type of narrative can reduced. But we’ll keep talking. We all talk a lot. Probably too much, sometimes.”