Mountain West commissioner points to Texas, Oklahoma to SEC move for playoff expansion failure

Remember when the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners accepting a bid to the SEC was the biggest story in college football? That feels like ages ago with the season, coaching carousel, and the craziness of the transfer portal taking center stage lately.

However, the two current Big 12 teams and their move to the SEC could have had an effect on Friday’s decision on the College Football Playoff not expanding.

After the announcement, Chris Vannnini of The Athletic asked Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson if the Red River schools moving to the SEC went into the decision process of the voting. He said it did have an effect and possibly even a breaking point for some.

“It certainly was a factor. It changed the temperament of this particular situation,” Thompson said. “Was it a breaking point or catalyst? I don’t know. It had an effect.”

As of right now, the Longhorns and Sooners are not expected to leave the Big 12 until the 2025 season. However, there is still a way to join the SEC earlier by paying a hefty buyout. As of right now, both Texas and Oklahoma are expected to play a full Big 12 schedule during the 2022 season.

One date we do know is when the College Football Playoff will be expanding. After voting against the idea on Friday, the FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick will be working toward a new format for the 2026 season. Until then, there will only be four teams in the playoff.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey reacts to College Football Playoff expansion failure

The College Football Playoff committee made one thing clear on Friday: Expansion isn’t coming anytime soon. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey responded with some poignant quotes to Sports Illustrated.

SI’s Ross Dellenger tweeted a thread of quotes from Sankey, who’s one of the more prominent voices in college football. He’d previously voiced his support for a 12-team format, but told Dellenger Friday’s announcement could change that position.

“For all the clamor about wanting to think about student athletes, there are a 1,000 students athletes each year on eight teams who could have participated in the playoff,” Sankey told Dellenger. “On the other hand, we (the SEC), didn’t need more teams.”

However, Sankey added some of the people who voted against expansion this time around were in favor of it three years ago. That was something he said stood out from the latest round of talks.

“If that isn’t the definition of mixed signals, I don’t know what the definition might be,” he said.