Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark voiced his support for the 5+11 College Football Playoff model, insisting that there is ‘real momentum’ behind the proposal
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark revealed that there is “real momentum” behind a proposed model for the College Football Playoff (CFP).
In recent years, the CFP seedings have become a topic of fierce debate — especially after the inaugural 12-team playoff left much to be desired with few competitive games in the first round.
As calls to fix the CFP near a fever pitch, Yormark once again voiced his support for a 16-team playoff. If the 5+11 model were to be approved, the top five conference champions would receive automatic bids while the remaining spots would go to 11 at-large teams.
Speaking to reporters at the Big 12 spring meetings, Yormark said: “I think there’s real momentum for 5-11. Certainly, the public is voting yes for it, which I think is critically important.”
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Though Yormark’s voice does carry significant weight in the decision-making process — the 58-year-old initially presented the 5+11 model during a meeting between Power 4 commissioners in Charlotte, North Carolina — the future playoff format will be decided predominantly by the Big Ten and SEC.
When a new six-year deal for the CFP was announced last year, FBS commissioners delegated much of the power to the pair of conferences.
“Yes, the Big Ten, the SEC are leading the discussions, but with leading those discussions, they have a great responsibility that goes with it, to do what’s right for college football and not to do anything that just benefits two conferences,” Yormark said.
“I have a lot of faith in the process, and I think we’ll land in the right place.”
Decision-makers are also mulling over a different CFP model in which the Big Ten and SEC would receive four automatic qualifiers, while the ACC and Big 12 would be given two each. The final spot, meanwhile, would be reserved for the top Group of 5 team.
Yormark, for one, does not approve of this model even though it’d reward his conference two playoff spots.
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“In talking to our ADs and coaches, we want to earn it on the field,” he explained.
“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. I feel very comfortable with that, and I feel the same way, and I’ve been very outspoken about it.”
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham expressed a similar sentiment, stating: “Every year is a new year. You never know who’s going to be good in college football, especially with the volatility with the portal. So anything that creates an open platform for teams like our guys last year to prove that they do belong, I’m in support of.
“Our coaches and our league want just the best teams, whoever those best teams are in college football that year, let’s have those best teams go and compete for a championship.”
