Big Ten, SEC must support all football, Big 12 commish says - ESPN

ORLANDO, Fla. — Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark reiterated his support for the 5+11 College Football Playoff model, saying Friday that even though the Big Ten and SEC are leading the discussions, those conferences have a «great responsibility» that goes with it.

Over the past several days, momentum has grown for an expanded 16-team playoff that would feature the top five conference champions as automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large teams, a model Yormark presented when the Power 4 commissioners met recently in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Another model that has been presented includes four automatic qualifiers each for the Big Ten and SEC, two each for the ACC and Big 12, and one for the top Group of 5 team. Both the Big 12 and ACC are against that model.

The Big Ten and SEC have the bulk of control over the playoff's format in 2026 and beyond, something the other FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua agreed to last year when a new six-year deal for the CFP was announced.

«I think there's real momentum for 5-11,» Yormark said at the conclusion of the Big 12 spring meetings. «Certainly, the public is voting yes for it, which I think is critically important. 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.

»I have a lot of faith in the process, and I think we'll land in the right place."

Yormark was asked why the Big 12 would be against a model that would guarantee two playoff spots for his conference.

«In talking to our ADs and coaches, we want to earn it on the field,» Yormark said. «The 5-11 might not be