SANDESTIN, Florida – The College Football Playoff (CFP) executives are engaged in a crucial dialogue about the future of the postseason, with high stakes at play.

The CFP’s leadership has been involved in discussions for several months aimed at finalizing the format for the 2026 postseason. Recent meetings amongst power conference representatives have led to a coalition forming between the ACC and Big 12 to confront the might of the Big Ten and SEC. This alliance sets the stage for a clash over two differing 16-team playoff models.

In a recent meeting on May 15, representatives from the ACC and Big 12 proposed a 16-team playoff structure that would grant automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions alongside 11 at-large invitations. Conversely, the Big Ten and SEC are advocating for a 4-4-2-2-1 model that benefits their conferences by allowing four automatic qualifiers.

During these discussions, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated, “We are not committed to any format at this point.”

The Big Ten and SEC’s preference for the proposed format is influenced by the potential to host lucrative play-in games, giving their top teams additional playoff opportunities while enhancing broadcasting revenues during the conference championship weekend.

As negotiations continue, the outcome not only affects the playoff’s structure but also has far-reaching implications for the future of college sports. With internal pressure mounting, future meetings, including one scheduled for June 18, will be crucial in determining the playoff’s trajectory.

A source involved in the discussions has indicated that the ACC and Big 12 are ready to fiercely advocate for their position. The billion-dollar question remains as to whether the format proposed by the SEC and Big Ten is equitable for the eight other conferences left outside their power circle.