• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025

‘This Is a Big Deal’: SEC Defends Championship Amid CFP Debate

Conference championship games for the SEC and Big Ten carry a different meaning this season than they have in years past. Still, coaches from participating teams see value in the title contests.

Austin American-Statesman

Neither No. 2 Texas nor No. 5 Georgia appears at risk of missing out on the College Football Playoff, no matter the outcome of Saturday’s SEC championship game in Atlanta. The situation is similar for the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis, which features No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State.

While that’s a good thing for those schools and their respective conferences, it’s raised questions about the meaning and value of conference championship games in this new era of college football. 

For the SEC, though, keeping a conference title matchup on the books long-term appears to be a priority. 

“I certainly think so,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Thursday when asked whether Saturday’s game has the same value as previous years. “Because I’m an SEC enthusiast that believes an SEC title is a significant marker to your season and the kind of season you have. It also gets you a bye and it gets you an opportunity to rest and recover.”

The four highest-ranked conference champions will earn first-round byes, while seeds 5–8 will host first-round games on campus against Nos. 9–12. 

“We take this very seriously,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “This is a big deal to us. I think so many times, in the world that we live in, is focusing on what’s next, what’s next, what’s next?”

The only concern Sarkisian has is making sure the championship game doesn’t knock an SEC team out of the Playoff. “I surely hope, this year and in the years to come, that nobody ever gets punished because they don’t come out on top in this game,” he said. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin previously said some coaches didn’t want to play in the SEC championship game for fear of getting knocked out of the CFP with a loss.

However, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey admitted he and the other leaders of the CFP will continue to explore their options for the Playoff’s specific format for 2026 and beyond when there could be further expansion.  

“We do have an opportunity to go through these two years of experience under existing contracts, and during that process, look anew at some of the format issues, and I look forward to that,” Sankey said.

SEC Wants Even More

It’s likely the SEC and Big Ten will each end up with four teams in this year’s CFP bracket—with no other conferences getting multiple bids—and Sankey’s not apologizing for occupying a third of the spots.

“I’d love to have eight teams,” Sankey said. “So, the conference champion, and then their seven at-larges. People would opine about whether that’s good or not. I think that’s the reality of college football.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium

UNC’s Disastrous Season Continues With Report of NCAA Rules Violation

A UNC cornerbacks coach reportedly gave sideline passes to a player’s family.
Hymie Elhai

Jets Say Execs Tried to Sink Team President in Bumbling Conspiracy

The team says thousands of deleted text messages show the plot.

NFL and College Football TV Ratings Continue to Surge, Especially for CBS

The network’s singleheader coverage Sunday drew huge viewership.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

Under the proposal, Big Ten would spin assets into a new entity.
October 7, 2025

NIL Hits Week 1: Auburn’s Atlanta Game Marks Next Step in Player..

The teams will play in the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game.
Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.
October 7, 2025

Big Ten Teams Grapple With Long Flights, Time-Zone Hurdles

Coaches across the country are noticing some impact.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.
October 6, 2025

The Improbability of UCLA’s Incredible Upset Win Against Penn State

Before UCLA beat Penn State, donors were deeply unhappy.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Penn State Has a $50 Million James Franklin Problem

Franklin’s team lost to unranked UCLA on Saturday despite being heavy favorites.
October 5, 2025

CFB’s New Parity Era: Penn State, Texas Top-25 Exits Signal Shift

Penn State and Texas fall entirely out of the top-25 rankings.
Cody Campbell
October 4, 2025

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.