Big 12 commish: Big Ten, SEC share ‘great responsibility’ with CFP model

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Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormak doubled down on his support of the 5+11 model for the College Football Playoff on Friday, despite another proposed model that would guarantee his conference two playoff spots.

The 5+11 model would give five automatic spots to the highest-ranked conference champions, with 11 at-large berths handed out based on the committee’s rankings. Yormark presented this model when the Power 4 commissioners met recently in Charlotte, N.C.

“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.”

Last year, when a new six-year CFP deal was announced, the Big Ten and SEC were placed in charge of the playoff’s format in 2026 and beyond.

Another model, which the ACC and Big 12 oppose, would include four automatic qualifiers for both the SEC and Big Ten, two apiece for the Big 12 and ACC and one for the top Group of 6 team.

When asked why he would oppose that model, Yormark said: “In talking to our ADs and coaches, we want to earn it on the field.

“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 … and I feel very comfortable with that.”

–Field Level Media