We already knew where the Big XII and ACC stood on their preferred format for choosing the 16 teams for the scheduled expansion of the College Football Playoff, but Brett Yormark made sure to say it again.
The outspoken Big XII commissioner made it clear that he supports the 5-11 format, which grants the four power conference winners and the highest ranked conference winning in the Group of Five automatic bids with the other 11 spots filled by at-large teams.
“We want to earn it on the field," Yormark said in his address during Big XII media days. "It might not be the best solution today for the Big 12, but long term, knowing the progress we’re making, the investments we’re making, it’s the right format for us. And I’m doubling down today on 5-11.”
Yormark, ever the hype man, also confidently stated that the Big XII will have multiple teams in this year's 12-team college football playoff.
This is all good and well. Yormark carries his megaphone wherever he goes and he knows that this format seems to be the favorite of the fans. He also has an ally in Jim Phillips, who will likely also reiterate his preference for 5-11 during ACC Media Days on Tuesday, July 22.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is doubling down on the 5+11 future College Football Playoff format – as he should. The Big 12 and ACC want a system that gives automatic bids to the five best conference champs plus 11 at-larges. Makes sense, right? Equal access isn’t radical –…
— Mike Bianchi (@BianchiWrites) July 9, 2025
All eyes are on the SEC...and that's the way Greg Sankey likes it
The Big Ten has made it clear where they stand from the beginning - they want four automatic spots guaranteed for them and the SEC with the Big XII and ACC getting two and the G5 getting one with the remaining three spots at large. Commissioner Tony Petitti has made his stance clear and seems to have the support of the league coaches.
While the SEC coaches have made their feelings known on automatic bids vs. the 5-11 format, Greg Sankey, the commissioner, hasn't taken an official side. Given how little weight the Big XII/ACC carry, the SEC will be the swing vote in how the college football playoff moves forward.
Any College Conference Commissioner Supporting the 5+11 CFP Model Has It WRONG.
— Big Ten information. College football fan (@Genetics56) July 8, 2025
Do any of them, outside of the Big Ten, realize the destruction and damage it would do to non-conference scheduling alone, not even getting into the propganda and narratives that CFP will then be… pic.twitter.com/MoQn4ytutg
There isn't a clear sign to where Sankey is leaning. Whereas it feels like the Big Ten contingent wants the comfort of knowing the top four in the conference will be represented, Sankey may believe the SEC could get 5-6...maybe 7 teams in the playoff on a given year and doesn't want to eliminate that possibility.
One thing Sankey will never lack is confidence and after the success the SEC had in men's basketball, no one can fault him.