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Andrea Adelson
Orlando, Florida – Commissioner Big 12 Brett Yormmark reiterated his support for the model of boarding school series 5 + 11, claiming on Friday that even if the Big Ten and the SEC lead the discussions, these conferences have a “great responsibility” that goes with it.
In the past few days, Momentum has increased for an extended eliminatory of 16 teams that would star the five best champions of the conference as automatic qualifications and 11 At-Large teams, a Yormark model presented when the Power 4 commissioners recently gathered in Charlotte, in North Carolina.
Another model that has been presented includes four automatic qualifiers each for the Big Ten and dry, two each for the ACC and the Big 12, and one for the best group of 5 teams. Big 12 and ACC are against this model.
The Big Ten and the SEC have most of the control over the format of the qualifying series in 2026 and beyond, which the other commissioners of the FBS and the sports director of Notre-Dame, Pete Bevacqua, accepted last year when a new six-year agreement for the CFP was announced.
“I think there is a real momentum for 5-11,” said Yormark at the end of the Big 12 Spring meetings. “Admittedly, the public votes yes for that, which, I think, is of crucial importance. Yes, Big Ten, the dry directs the discussions, but by putting these discussions, it has a great responsibility that goes with it, to do what is good for university football and do nothing that benefits two conferences.
“I have a lot of confidence in the process, and I think we are going to land in the right place.”
Yormark was asked why Big 12 would be against a model that would guarantee two places in the playoffs for its conference.
“Speaking to our announcements and coaches, we want to win it in the field,” said Yormark. “The 5-11 may not be ideal for the conference, but it is good for university football, and that’s what is right. We don’t want gims. We want to win it on the field. I feel very comfortable with that, and I feel the same, and I was very struck.”
Indeed, Arizona State Coach Kenny Dillingham, whose team did the CFP last season, said on Thursday: “Each year is a new year. You never know who will be good in university football, especially with volatility with the portal. So, everything that creates an open platform for teams like our guys last year to prove that they belong, I am in favor. ”
He added: “Our coaches and our league only want the best teams, whoever in university football that year, that these best teams are competing for a championship.”
Tucu Coach Sonny Dykes said the idea that conferences would get more than one automatic qualifier “had no sense”.
“Everything everyone wants is looking for at the end of the year and seeing the best teams in competition for a national championship,” said Dykes. “I do not think that the guaranteed offers do it. This is not how it works in professional football; this is not how it works in another sport. The AFC West obtains four offers, and the Central NFC only two – this thing makes no sense. It is not good for sport. I don’t think it’s good for fans. It’s just not good for the game.”
Yormark said that CFP leaders had until December to determine the future format. Commissioners FBS and Bevacqua should meet on June 18 in Asheville, in North Carolina.
“We now have time to work throughout the process,” said Yormmark. “It’s a process, but I plan that something is done earlier than late.”
It is the second time in a week that Yormark has noticed what is best for university football. After the commissioners agreed to switch to a direct sowing model for the CFP, which will start in the 2025 season, Yormark said that he hoped what was best for university football is the “priority” in the future. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips made similar comments on his “responsibility” towards the game.
The SEC commissioner, Greg Sankey, seemed to take shade with this, saying spring spring meetings earlier in the week: “I don’t need others on” Good of the Game “. I do not make conferences to others on the good of the game. ”
Asked his response to this, Yormmark said: “I agree with Greg’s follow -up declaration that I was entertained by this, and I was. We all have thick skin here. What is interesting about our relationship between the commissioners is that we will fight. This is part of life. We will accept a place. “