Big Ten & SEC: Support All Football – Big 12 Commissioner
- — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is advocating for the 5+11 model for the College Football Playoff (CFP), emphasizing that teams should earn their spots.
- The 5+11 model, which Yormark presented, proposes automatic bids for the top five conference champions and 11 at-large selections for the expanded 16-team playoff. This contrasts with another...
- Yormark addressed concerns about the Big 12 potentially missing out on guaranteed spots under the 5+11 model.He explained that the conference's athletic directors and coaches prefer to "earn...
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark fiercely champions the 5+11 model for the College Football Playoff (CFP), asserting teams must earn their spots, not be guaranteed a place. Yormark, understanding the Big Ten and SEC’s CFP influence, insists on prioritizing fairness.He’s pushing back against proposals for guaranteed bids, a stance that reflects a broader desire within the Big 12 for merit-based competition. The crux of his argument: secure a playoff spot through performance. This contrasts with othre models that could favor certain conferences. With a December deadline looming, key decisions are ahead as FBS commissioners gather to address the future of the playoff format. News Directory 3 offers more insights into the story. Discover what’s next as the commissioners meet to finalize the CFP format.
Big 12 Commissioner Pushes for 5+11 College football Playoff Model
Updated May 30, 2025
Orlando, Fla. — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is advocating for the 5+11 model for the College Football Playoff (CFP), emphasizing that teams should earn their spots. He acknowledged the Big Ten and SEC’s leadership in CFP discussions but stressed their “great duty” to act in the best interest of college football.
The 5+11 model, which Yormark presented, proposes automatic bids for the top five conference champions and 11 at-large selections for the expanded 16-team playoff. This contrasts with another proposal that would guarantee multiple spots for the Big Ten and SEC, a concept the Big 12 opposes.
Yormark addressed concerns about the Big 12 potentially missing out on guaranteed spots under the 5+11 model.He explained that the conference’s athletic directors and coaches prefer to “earn it on the field,” prioritizing fairness for college football over guaranteed entries.
“In talking to our ADs and coaches, we want to earn it on the field,” Yormark said. “The 5-11 might not be ideal for the conference,but it’s good for college football,and it’s what’s fair. We don’t want any gimmes. We want to earn it on the field.”
Kenny Dillingham, arizona State coach, echoed this sentiment, supporting an open platform for teams to prove their worth.TCU coach Sonny Dykes criticized guaranteed bids, arguing that the best teams should compete for the national championship based on merit, similar to professional sports.
“All anybody wants is to look up at the end of the year and see the best teams competing for a national championship,” Dykes said. “I don’t think that guaranteed bids does…it’s just not good for the game.”
The FBS commissioners and Notre dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua are scheduled to meet June 18 in Asheville, N.C., with a December deadline to finalize the CFP format. Yormark anticipates a resolution sooner rather than later.
Yormark also addressed SEC commissioner greg Sankey’s reaction to his and ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips’ remarks about prioritizing the “good of the game.” He downplayed any tension,stating that disagreements are part of the process and that he respects his fellow commissioners.
“I agreed with Greg’s follow-up statement that I’d be entertained by it, and I was,” Yormark said. “We all have thick skin here… we’ll end up in the right place.”
What’s next
The upcoming meeting in Asheville will be crucial in shaping the future of the College Football Playoff format, with the commissioners aiming to balance conference interests with the overall health and fairness of college football.