Brett Yormark explains importance of Big 12 getting two teams into College Football Playoff

Brett Yormark made headlines to kick off Big 12 Media Days, saying he expects multiple teams from the conference to make the College Football Playoff. This comes a year after Arizona State was the Big 12’s lone representative. Yormark is also supporting the 5+11 CFP model, one that would not guarantee multiple automatic qualifier spots for the Big 12.

Tuesday brought further comments, explaining the importance of getting at least two teams into the CFP. Ultimately, Yormark believes the football teams are the ones responsible for making it happen. And once there, some success would be nice as well.

“I think it credentializes our progress,” Yormark said via ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “I think we need to, and it’s on the football programs to perform at a high level and to get there… We need multiple teams and we need to win a CFP game.”

Since the CFP’s inception back in 2014, the Big 12 has gotten into the field on seven occasions. TCU is the lone school to advance, making a dream run to the national championship in 2022. Former members, Texas and Oklahoma, have five losses between them — four of which below to the Sooners. And then there is Arizona State, which was a one-and-done against the Longhorns this past year.

Earning bids into the CFP has not always been the most consistent for the Big 12. But once in there, the results do not line up nicely. At some point, somebody from the Big 12 needs to make a run when facing off against other national brands.

Yormark appears set to fight for the 5+11 College Football Playoff model though, no matter what happens this upcoming season. Either way, he has a ton of confidence in what Big 12 teams have returning for 2025. Especially at the quarterback position, possessing a stat nobody else in college football can claim.

“The Big 12 returns nine starting quarterbacks, who threw for over 2,400 yards last season,” Yormark said in his original statement. “The rest of the power-four combined have just 11. We also boast one of the nation’s top coaching lineups, from Hall of Famers to rising stars. I fully expect the Big 12 to earn multiple College Football Playoff bids this year and to show once again that we can compete with anyone.”

The Big 12 will be a part of some massive nonconference showdowns to potentially help out their postseason bids. Arguably none bigger than Baylor hosting Auburn, with kickoff from Waco scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29. Taking down an SEC program would make an immense move for not just Baylor but the entire conference.