Big Ten Widens CFP Gap in Expanded 12-Team Era

Through the first two seasons of the expanded, 12-team College Football Playoff, the Big Ten is winning more than any other conference—on and off the field.

Big Ten teams have made up half of the final four participants each of the last two years, with the SEC being the only other conference to have multiple semifinalists:

• Big Ten (4): Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State
• SEC (2): Ole Miss, Texas
• ACC (1): Miami
• Independent (1): Notre Dame

Beyond bragging rights, the on-field success has netted the Big Ten $82 million so far in performance-based revenue distribution payments. Second is the SEC with $64 million.

Third on the bonus payout list is the ACC, with $22 million won so far. However, the conference is letting Miami keep the entire $14 million it has earned, as part of the ACC’s “success initiative” that went into effect last year. Notre Dame made $20 million by reaching the CFP national championship game last season, which the school got to keep since it is independent. 

The Big 12 has made $16 million total, the Mountain West and American conferences $8 million each, and the Sun Belt $4 million.

Despite the Big Ten’s overall advantage, the SEC has actually earned slightly more so far this postseason, $38 million compared to $36 million. The Big Ten is guaranteed another $6 million for the winner of the Indiana-Oregon semifinal reaching the national championship game, bumping the total to $42 million. If Ole Miss beats Miami, the SEC would come out on top with $44 million.

If Indiana or Oregon wins the national championship, it will be the Big Ten’s third consecutive CFP title (Michigan in 2023–24 and Ohio State in 2024–25), following four straight by the SEC before that.

This is the final season of performance-based CFP revenue distribution, with a new system beginning next season that will see the Big Ten and SEC earn roughly 29% of CFP revenue each, the ACC 17%, the Big 12 15%, and the Group of 6 conferences collectively 10%.