Sources: Big Ten refuses College Football Playoff compromise without SEC schedule change

ATLANTA –The Big Ten will not back off its preferred College Football Playoff format, guaranteeing the league four automatic qualifiers, unless the SEC decides to add a ninth conference game, sources told On3.

“There’s no way (Big Ten commissioner) Tony (Petitti) moves off four AQs,” a source said.

With the Big Ten continuing to support the four AQ format and with the SEC unlikely to add a ninth conference game, the 12-team playoff will likely continue for the 2026 season.

“We’re staying at 12 teams in 2026 unless something moves,” a source said.

Last month, I reported conference commissioners had decided to “start over” on determining the 2026 CFP format. The Big Ten and SEC initially wanted four AQs each, with two each to the ACC and Big 12. The ACC and Big 12 pushed back, while the SEC coaches later publicly did not support the 4 AQ model, instead preferring the 5 AQ+11 at-large format for a 16-team playoff.

However, there is “no chance” the Big Ten will support the 5+11 format, a source said, as long as the SEC remains at eight conference games. Because the Big Ten only plays three non-conference games, compared to four for the SEC; the Big Ten feels it’s at a disadvantage if the selection committee picks 11 at-large teams.

A memorandum of understanding agreed to last season grants the Big Ten and SEC the authority to determine the playoff format in 2026. But if they can’t agree?

“We (currently) have a 12-team playoff with five conference champions,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday. “That could stay if we can’t agree. I think there’s this notion that there has to be this magic moment and something has to happen with expansion.”

CFP executive director Rich Clark told On3 he “is confident” the commissioners will settle on a format for 2026, whether it’s an expanded playoff or remaining at 12. The deadline for finalizing the 2026 CFP format is Dec. 1.

“Let’s get 16 teams that are representatives of their entire schedule, not 16 teams that have great records,” LSU coach Brian Kelly told 1010XL in Jacksonville. “Not all schedules are the same. Not all wins and losses are the same.

“You’re not going to see much action from our commissioner or anybody else – on 5+11 format or a 9-game conference schedule – until we know what the (CFP) selection process looks like. Once that’s done, the other stuff falls in place.”

Kelly summed up why it’s doubtful the SEC would add a ninth conference game in 2026. Which in turn what will keep the Big Ten preferring the 4 AQ model to the 5+11.

Sankey has said his league needs to determine its league schedule for 2026 before the 2025 season begins in late August. And the SEC will not make any changes until it has assurances of major changes in the CFP selection committee process, specifically related to evaluating strength of schedule.

“You always want to have a good set of cards, a good hand to play,” Sankey said. “I think we have the best hand to play.”