SEC-Big Ten partnership rumored to go big with 4 automatic bids each proposal in expanded College Football Playoff

With Pac-12 depleted following an exodus of programs last year, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC stand to gain a lot, especially in the newly expanded 12-team playoff format. As per the new format, the four highest-ranked teams from each Power Four conference receive an automatic bid.

This would be followed by the next seven highest-ranked teams. The No. 12 seed will go to the highest-ranked Group of Five team. However, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich, the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten want more automatic bids to the College Football Playoff.

“Sources in both leagues told ESPN on Monday they would prefer to have potentially four automatic bids each to the playoff when the next contract begins in 2026,” Dinich wrote.

“CFP leaders haven’t determined yet what the playoff will look like beyond this season and next. Some said they need to know that before making any decisions about future scheduling partnerships.”

If this somehow goes through, eight playoff positions will be taken up by SEC and Big Ten members. There's a rumor that stakeholders want to minimize the role of the 13-member playoffs selection committee and at some point eliminate it completely.

“While the future CFP format is a long way from being determined, guaranteed bids for eight of the 14 playoff spots to the SEC and Big Ten would receive significant pushback from others and already has,” Dinich wrote.

Four automatic bids to SEC and Big Ten could potentially mean addition of more teams in CFP format

The other two Power Four members, the Big 12 and ACC, stand to lose a lot if the SEC and Big Ten are allowed to have four automatic bids each, leaving only four more positions to be filled by other members.

Going by the new six-year, $7.8 billion contract signed by College Football Playoff with ESPN till the 2031-32 season, 11 to 13 games could take place. This means the playoff field won't extend beyond 14 teams.

With the College Football Playoff coming together to discuss the future format, its expansion to 14 teams is the likely outcome. Moreover, if that takes place, the top two seeds stand to get a first-round bye. Going by history, those teams are from the SEC and Big Ten. However, the negotiation may go, and CFP is in a tough spot to decide the future of the league.