Brett Yormark explains why Big 12 does not want format with two auto bids to College Football Playoff

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark hasn’t been shy about which College Football Playoff format his conference prefers. With an expansion to 16 teams on the horizon, the Big 12 is in favor of a 5+11 model.

That would mean five automatic spots would be available for the five highest-ranked conference champions in college football. Subsequently, 11 at-large berths based on the committee’s rankings would be dished out next.

The ACC, SEC and the Group of 6 conferences reportedly favor this option. However, the Big Ten believes in a 4+4+2+2+1 model, which would guarantee four automatic qualifiers for the conference and the SEC, and two for the ACC and Big 12. Additionally, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion would have a berth, as well as three at-large teams to complete the field.

Some may find it fascinating that Yormark is willing to part with a second guaranteed spot for the Big 12, favoring a model where the conference could feasibly only have one spot in the 16-team dance. Evidently, Yormark is choosing to look at it from the other side of the fence, confident that with more opportunities to make the Playoff, the Big 12 will come through.

“In talking to our ADs and coaches, we want to earn the field,” Yormark stated, via a media availability session on Friday. “The 5-11 might not be ideal for the conference, but it’s good for college football, and it’s what’s fair.

“We don’t want any gimmes. We want to earn it on the field. That was the direction of the key stakeholder group, the ADs and the coaches, and I feel very comfortable with that. I feel the same way, and I’ve been very outspoken about it.”

Alas, Yormark is being very clear with his stance, as he represents a group of athletic directors and coaches who seemingly believe in his vision. Whether the rest of the conferences can convince the Big Ten that a 5+11 format is the way to go remains to be seen, but it certainly has more support at the moment.

“It’s fair. It’s what our fans want,” Yormark said previously, via CBS Sports. “They don’t want an invitational, they want a true playoff system and we have that right now.” 

Time will tell what the future holds for the College Football Playoff. Brett Yormark is straddling the line right now, with the future in flux. It’ll be a fascinating situation to keep an eye on until we settle on a system for the 16-team version of crowning a champion in this great sport.