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Greg Sankey's warning about CFP expansion as Tennessee pushes for bigger bracket
On Monday, Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey reaffirmed his support for a 16-team College Football Playoff expansion, signaling that disagreement with the Big Ten's 24-team proposal remains unresolved.
The American Football Coaches Association recently proposed eliminating conference championships and reducing bye weeks, which Sankey criticized for issuing public statements without consulting decision-makers in key roles.
Sankey said coaches prioritize 'two open weeks' for injury prevention, rejecting the AFCA's push to finish earlier. He emphasized that schedule changes must be supported by research, not speculation.
The SEC holds contracts for football championships through 2031, with an option extending to 2036, requiring scheduling that accounts for NFL ratings competition and the protected Army-Navy game window.
Stakeholders must finalize the 2027 format by December 1, with Sankey maintaining that the SEC remains open to conversation but requires concrete information before committing to expanded structures.