Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire is challenging the prevailing narrative that certain conferences inherently deserve a larger share of the College Football Playoff (CFP) chances. With the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten leading the current discussions about the CFP framework, McGuire is advocating for a level playing field, rejecting the idea of preferential treatment.

“We’ve got to take some of the bias out of conferences – that, ‘This is a tougher conference because of this and this and this,’” McGuire said on SiriusXM College Sports. “Let’s fight it out on the field. If we win the Big 12, then we should be in the playoffs.”

Reportedly, the Big Ten is pushing for a model that guarantees itself and the SEC four automatic playoff spots within a 16-team format, while the ACC and Big 12 would acquire two spots and a ‘Group of Five’ conference receives one spot. Other teams, like Notre Dame, would qualify based on seasonal rankings.

However, recent indications suggest that the SEC might be re-evaluating its stance, now leaning toward a model that allows more teams into the playoff framework.

McGuire opposes systems that favor the two most powerful conferences, insisting that championships should be earned through performance on the field rather than based on pedigree alone.

“I believe a conference champion deserves a playoff spot,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the best teams nationwide instead of focusing solely on specific conferences.