SEC Coaches Blast CFP's 12-Team Selection Metrics as 9-Game Schedule Threatens More Losses
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 28
SEC Coaches Blast CFP's 12-Team Selection Metrics as 9-Game Schedule Threatens More Losses
2 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 28
Four sources said SEC coaches reacted angrily after CFP officials walked them through the analytics behind the 2025-26 12-team field, with one source calling the explanation "ridiculous."
Texas Tech's 12-2 résumé became a flashpoint: the Red Raiders secured the No. 4 seed and a bye after blowout-heavy Big 12 wins, while BYU's 12-2 profile was seen as less damaged by lopsided losses than some SEC teams were by narrower defeats.
Texas' 9-3 season was cited as an example of the dispute, with SEC officials arguing a road loss at 4-8 Florida was judged too harshly despite the league's week-to-week difficulty.
Josh Brooks and Greg Sankey said metrics miss the SEC's top-to-bottom strength and can be gamed by style of play, arguing human judgment should weigh quality wins and losses more heavily.
That fight is likely to intensify this fall as the SEC moves to nine conference games, creating concern that extra losses will hurt bids if the committee keeps prioritizing record over schedule strength.
Will the SEC's push for a 'human element' change playoff selection, or is data's reign over college football absolute?
As Fox and ESPN battle over playoff size, will fans or media deals decide college football’s future?