Big Ten commish advocates for AQ-heavy College Football Playoff - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti on Tuesday continued to advocate for a future College Football Playoff format heavy with automatic qualifiers, saying it will enhance the regular season and minimize some of the scheduling differences between leagues.

Petitti, speaking at the start of Big Ten media days, said a 16-team format with four automatic qualifying spots for both the Big Ten and the SEC will better connect the regular season with the postseason. His proposed model would include two automatic spots for both the ACC and Big 12, one for the highest-rated Group of 6 team and three at-large berths.

He said the alternative model, which includes automatic spots for only the five highest-rated conference champions and 11 at-large berths determined by a selection committee, is one that will «have a difficult time gaining support from the Big Ten.»

The Big Ten and SEC hold influence over proposals for a 16-team CFP model, which must reach a resolution by the end of the year and would begin in 2026. The 5+11 model has strong support from the Big 12 and ACC, and it gained more traction within the SEC after its spring meetings.

If the Big Ten and SEC can't reach an agreement on a 16-team model, the CFP could stay at 12 teams for 2026 and possibly beyond.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said a playoff model more like professional sports would not be best for college football, while Petitti and Big Ten coaches and administrators are aligned that a format that puts more power with a selection committee will not serve the sport well.

«How are we differentiating from teams that don't have head-to-head play, teams that don't play common schedules across leagues that do different things?» Petitti said. «I think that's