Report: Big Ten ADs discussed 5-plus-11 CFP model, would support if SEC adds 9th conference game

During their weekly call Wednesday, Big Ten athletics directors discussed a 5-plus-11 College Football Playoff model the SEC is considering, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed. Many of them wouldn’t support such a change if the SEC stays at eight conference games instead of moving to nine, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger added.

The discussed 16-team format would have spots for the five highest-ranked conference champions, as well as 11 at-large teams. SEC officials are meeting in Destin this week for the league’s spring meetings, and Dellenger said the Big 12 and SEC support the 5-plus-11 model.

The 5-plus-11 model is one of the 16-team formats floated this week in Destin, along with a 4-4-2-2-1 model. Under that proposal, the SEC and Big Ten would receive four automatic bids apiece. The Big 12 and ACC would each get two berths, with one more spot for a Group of 6 team or Notre Dame, as well as three at-large spots.

During a call earlier today, Big Ten ADs discussed the 5 AQ + 11 At-large CFP model under consideration in the SEC, sources tell @YahooSports.

Many ADs say they would not support such a model if the SEC remains at eight conference games. The Big Ten plays nine conference games.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) May 28, 2025

Entering this week’s SEC spring meetings, the 4-4-2-2-1 model was discussed multiple times. However, the league started to look closer at the 5-plus-11 format once the coaches got to town, Dellenger said. As a result, the Big Ten was likely surprised by the shift.

“Today, in response to the SEC considering the 5-plus-11 so seriously – which I think was a little bit unexpected from Big Ten territory – the Big Ten ADs did have a meeting earlier today, they had a call with commissioner Tony Petitti,” Dellenger said on The Paul Finebaum Show. “I think most of them feel that they would not support a 5-plus-11 format if the SEC remained at eight conference games because the Big Ten is at nine conference games. Basically, they might say the SEC gets one sort of pushover game, and if you’re in a model – 5-plus-11 with so many at-large [bids], 11 – every win and loss is even more important. And the Big Ten has now for weeks, if not months, been on the 4-4-2-2-1 format.

“Even in the SEC athletic director room, I think the majority of them were on the 4-4-2-2-1 format. But there’s been some change this week. It’s pretty clear that the coaches came in, and they’re not in favor of that.”

The SEC’s conference schedule could be a reason for the coaches’ hesitancy about the 4-4-2-2-1 model, Dellenger said. That could lead the league to add a ninth game – one of the central points of discussion during this week’s meetings. Dellenger wondered how many coaches want the additional league game, and he heard frustration was building around the 4-4-2-2-1 format.

“I think they’re not in favor of that for a few reasons,” Dellenger said. “One, I think most of the coaches in the SEC don’t want to play a ninth conference game. I think when you have a 4-4-2-2-1 format, that would lead itself to playing a ninth conference game. I don’t know how many coaches want to play these play-in games that they talked about doing, along with the 4-4-2-2-1.

“So the ADs heard today from some somewhat, I heard, frustrated coaches at this model. We have a real serious consideration here from the SEC ADs and presidents today, and then tomorrow, for this 5-11 that has more at-larges than the automatic qualifiers.”