Multiple worldwide internet sources such as FBS Schedules, Sports Illustrated, MSN, and a few others have recently published postings online about another possible plan to expand the college football to 16-teams. Interesting dichotomy is that this “new” design derives from the SEC and Big 10 Commissioners, imagine that. The basics of this phase from the original idea of 4-4-2-2-1-1 format, to an “improved” a 4-4-2-2-1-3 format. The additional 3 playoff spots would be considered as “at-large bids”. This concept designed by two major power brokers of college football; SEC Commissioner, Greg Sankey and Big 10 Commissioner, Tony Petitti. Both are in collusion with each other to gain FULL CONTROL over the money, number of teams, seeding and selection process to the field of 16. The design change from the 14-team format of 4-4-2-2-1-1 to the 4-4-2-2-1-3 format indicates that they want to systematically exclude all but 1 of the Group of Five Conference members in FBS football from gaining access to the prestigious college football elitist playoff system.
The “new” format design of a 16-team playoff, by Greg Sankey and Tony Petitti, is best explained as automatic bids of (4) from the SEC and Big 10 Conferences, (2) automatic bids from the ACC and Big12, (1) automatic bid from the Group of Five Conferences and the “new category” (3) at large bids. What this translates too is, that the Group of Five FBS Conference Members, possess only a 6.25% access rate to the field of 16. With no guarantees for additional members to the field of 16. This still gives the SEC and Big 10 a minimum of 50% guaranteed access rate to the field of 16. Furthermore, by these two gentlemen’s hedonistic Democritus design, they will use the “at large” bids to gain more access for their prestigious elitist conferences. No matter what they espouse in the public. The narrative is ” we want more access than you.”
This “new” design format indicates that by saying “1 Group of Five and 3 at large bids” offers “everyone” a chance to participate. However, we all know that the hidden narrative is; “well our (9-3) or (8-4) programs from our conferences are FAR better than the (12-0) or (11-1) Group of Five FBS Conferences. Because they do not possess an “elite” schedule.” This is another magician’s trick by Greg Sankey and Tony Petitti to give the false sense of hope to the Group of Five FBS Conferences and Members that they will possess a “greater” chance to access the college football playoff with 16 teams. This concept is all smoke and mirrors design with no rules, equal, just or fair access to all the FBS college football members.
What these two gentleman and conferences are executing is a hedonistic Democritus approach of a playoff system which generates moderate triple-digit millions of dollars, from the playoff to be funneled into only their name brand conference and name brand programs. If I were the other 8 FBS Conference and Members with the Independents, Athletic Directors, Coaching staffs and Student Athletes; should all vote a FIRM NO to this design, since its shows limited access to other FBS Conference Members.
There is already published research that supported the 16-team playoff format dating back to 2013 and 2016 in a book titled: ” College Football In The BCS Era The Untold Truth Facts Evidence and Solutions, (Siggelow, 2013 & 2016). In addition to a published blog page that investigated the 4-4-2-2-1-1 concept by the SEC Commissioner and Big 10 Commissioner, which used data to expose the SEC and BIG 10 lack of worthiness of the 4 automatic bids they believe but cant prove they are entitled to. This posting was published on April 25, 2025 at cfbpoexpert.com
The Power Brokers of college football need to be called out and enter into a debate about the next phase for the college football expansion. The field of 16 is the right number, but the field of 16 must be inclusive to all FBS member, not exclusive to the Power Brokers of college football.
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