Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff is asking the college football world to stop, and take a moment to reflect on what exactly is happening in its world, right now. Texas and Oklahoma are bound to leave the Big-12 for the greener (money pun) pastures of the SEC. The college football playoff is expected to expand to 12 teams in the following years. The convergence of these two moments, he says, presents a problem.
The SEC may have too much influence for playoff positioning, due to the stacked conference of teams… that may get larger.
“We do not think expansion is required to continue to compete and thrive,” Kliavkoff was quoted saying in a Stewart Mandel piece from The Athletic. “That said, the fallout from Texas and Oklahoma gives us an opportunity to once again consider expansion. We have already had significant inbound interest from many schools. We will work with our presidents and chancellors to evaluate these opportunities.”
It’s not out of the realm of possibility that four SEC teams could walk into the newly proposed 12-team playoff, without winning a division title. Kliavkoff is bringing attention to the issue in hopes that more fair rules will be implemented, with consideration of the latest expansion. The good news; guaranteed conference title spots will most likely remain.
Many fans may interpret this as whining about the conference’s irrelevance in the past five seasons. But, it’s important to remember Alabama getting into the playoff without winning their division. You really think that can’t happen twice (three times?) in the same year?