SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey addresses realignment, CFP expansion

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey addressed the media before the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Among other things, he discussed conference realignment, College Football Playoff expansion and the future of college football.

After sending shock waves – which are still being felt – throughout college football this summer. The SEC formally added the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma to its conference, leaving the Big 12 and other affected conferences scrambling.

When asked about the addition – and how it impacts the CFP Playoff expansion talks – Sankey rejected any deliberate agenda.

“The commentary from any number of anonymous sources that I cooked this up as part of an expansion plan is incorrect,” Sankey said, via Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger. “We don’t include the West Coast in the CFP 2 of 7 years. That is not good for college football.”

The SEC commissioner went one step further. When asked whether any conference commissioner would take Texas and Oklahoma if interested, Sankey responded “correct.”

Since the additions became official, several other realignments took shape across the FBS landscape. First, the Big 12 raided the American by taking Cincinnati, Houston and UCF into its expanded format. The league also added independent BYU to its long-term plans.

The American responded by welcoming six new members. Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA will join the top Group of Five conference, leaving Conference USA behind. As a result, The Sun Belt and Conference USA have each attempted to lure schools into their conference.

Greg Sankey on CFP expansion

Greg Sankey also discussed College Football Playoff expansion independently during Saturday’s media session. The idea has floated around for several years now, with real momentum building over the past 12 months.

According to The Orlando Sentinel & Tribune’s Matt Murschel, the SEC commissioner prefers a four-team or 12-team format over the proposed eight-team field. The SEC is the only conference to place multiple members in a four-team playoff, and would expand its possible number with a 12-team format.

Conversations about the possible CFP expansion were halted this summer, shortly after the conference realignment started. Sankey understands the need for pause, but wants talks to resume quickly.

“Candidly, I understand why we haven’t acted to this point,” said Sankey. “I’m not real clear on why we can’t act soon though.”

Another factor in the future of college football is the so-called alliance, which works toward the interest of ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 schools during NCAA and CFP negotiations.