SEC, Big Ten Officials To Meet And Discuss Scheduling Partnership And CFP Bids

by Staff Reporter

September 30, 20240 Comments

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Multiple outlets have reported that officials from the SEC and Big Ten are scheduled to meet in Nashville next week to discuss a scheduling partnership as well as automatic bids for the College Football Playoff. Per ESPN:

quote:
The future scheduling partnership could hinge on whether the SEC eventually decides to go to nine conference games -- a topic one SEC source said hasn't been a focus of conversations lately. Some Big Ten athletic directors could push back on any agreement if the SEC doesn't move to nine games, because the Big Ten already plays nine league opponents.

"If we're all going to figure this out," one source said, "we've got to be on equal footing."

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. 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.

"I'm for anything that gives us the maximum number of postseason opportunities," one SEC source said. "I don't count bowl games as postseason opportunities."