Big 12 May Only Get ONE Team in College Football Playoff: BYU, Iowa State, Kansas State Battle On

With the College Football Playoff (CFP) expanding to a 12-team format, there are valid concerns that the structure could disproportionately favor the SEC and Big Ten over conferences like the Big 12. The new format increases the number of spots, but the larger pool may still skew towards the conferences with the most media visibility, established powerhouse programs, and high-profile matchups. Given the SEC and Big Ten’s reputation, national brand power, and recent dominance in CFP rankings, it’s likely these conferences will see multiple teams included year after year.

One key factor favoring the SEC and Big Ten is their strength of schedule. Teams from these conferences frequently play in high-profile, high-stakes games, which carry significant weight in rankings. Even if a Big Ten or SEC team loses a game, the perception of a tougher schedule may work in their favor, positioning them above similarly successful teams from the Big 12. Additionally, SEC and Big Ten programs have substantial media influence, increasing their visibility and favorability in the eyes of the CFP selection committee.

The Big 12, while highly competitive, often lacks the same level of national brand prestige for many of its programs. Even with new members like BYU, Utah, and Cincinnati, it may still be more challenging for the Big 12 to secure multiple CFP berths consistently. However, the Big 12’s unpredictable nature could still work in its favor if teams have strong seasons and earn enough national recognition. Yet, the expanded CFP will likely see the SEC and Big Ten with easier pathways to secure multiple berths, creating an ongoing challenge for Big 12 teams aiming to compete at the highest level.

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[TJYfan]

"Excellence over access" are you kidding me. That all but flat out saying you only care about the name on the jersey. We wont ever know if a Big 12 team is one of the best teams in the country if you don't allow access. Just by that you know he's an SEC homer

[davidbass]

Pretty sure this guy Would be happy if every single year the championship was down to Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. All other schools need not apply.

[joshlandon]

Hard disagree on that. Why do you think March Madness is so successful and lucrative? Because of the access and the ability for teams to make unlikely runs. If you're the best, you'll win. If not, it's open to others.

[bigbell]

Colorado will be in the cfb playoffs mark my words yall about to be mad about it to

[thedukeparty]

This is the dumbest take I’ve ever heard. Let them decide it on the field.

[sarahmccoy]

The Big XII will get an auto-bid entry and that’s all.

[caleblarsen]

What an SEC homer. He prefers excellence? Wants to go back to the BCS? Is he actually joking? I'd rather see the excellence get a chance at playing for a national title than have a stupid computer algorithm "figure it out."

[heartbreak]

We don't have full time refs in conferences but he wants full time playoff voters? He didn't anticipate Penn State who started ranked in the top 10 and would've made the expanded playoffs in 6 out of the last 8 years? This guy may cover football, but not all of it.

[freckleskleinman]

How do we down vote Barrett Sallee and his view "A Big 12 team is not one of the best teams in college football".... Him and UNCLE RICO have the same complexity of thought. "I wish we could go back." Someone fire that dude. He's not a representative of all of college football.

[ChrisTurner-bg]

Portal era is here. Access matters most. Especially with NIL spreading the players around. Why go be 2nd string at an SEC school when you can start in the B12 or ACC and get more NIL. The days of top school stashing talent 3-deep are over, and we already see it in 2024, barely into this era. Kids wanna get paid and wanna play. They can do both at other places now. Some talking heads still can;t wrap their heads around this happening, but it is right now. We are back to CFB as it swas in the 80s and 90s. The SEC complete dominance era of the last 20 years is winding down as a result.

[brow]

I believe in excellence over access as well. Excellent teams should have to prove it on the field not hide behind a brand. Terrible take.