Overview

• SEC remains open to multiple CFP formats for 2026 and beyond and has not committed to the leading 16-team proposal.
• The most-discussed 16-team model would award four automatic bids each to the SEC and Big Ten, two to the ACC and Big 12, one to Group of Five leagues and three at-large spots.
• The CFP will switch to straight seeding for its 12-team bracket, eliminating first-round byes for top conference champions.
• Sankey criticized ACC and Big 12 commissioners for issuing coordinated “good of the game” statements without substantive proposals.
• Conference leaders are pushing for exact strength-of-schedule metrics, aim to preserve high-profile nonconference matchups and are weighing SEC–Big Ten scheduling partnerships alongside NCAA governance autonomy and the pending House settlement.