Greg Sankey favors 9-game SEC schedule however is anxious about CFP bids – The Athletic

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SEC commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed Monday that he’s in favor of his convention going to a nine-game soccer schedule. That declaration, the furthest Sankey has appeared to go publicly, got here with a caveat: so long as it doesn’t damage SEC groups attempting to get within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
The SEC has debated going to 9 video games for a number of years, particularly within the lead-up to Oklahoma and Texas becoming a member of the convention, which occurred final season. However monetary and aggressive issues led to the convention staying at eight video games, not less than briefly.
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Behind the scenes, Sankey has voiced assist for going to 9 video games. Whereas confirming that on Monday throughout an look on the SEC Community, Sankey couched it with issues that the CFP choice committee prioritized losses final yr, when the SEC had solely three groups make the 12-team area.
“One of many points within the room for our athletics administrators is what appeared to matter most, is the quantity to the precise, the variety of losses. And the way can we perceive what which means for our schedule transferring ahead?” Sankey mentioned throughout his look on the Paul Finebaum Present. “I’m one who mentioned I actually assume we should be attempting to maneuver in direction of a nine-game convention schedule. I feel that may be optimistic for lots of causes. You watch the curiosity round convention video games.
“However not if that causes us to lose alternatives.”
Sankey added that he favors video games of “excessive curiosity” generally and expressed disappointment at Nebraska recently canceling a series with Tennessee and Wake Forest canceling a future sport with Ole Miss.
“I’d wish to see us play extra of those high-profile video games. Each inside the convention and out of doors the convention,” Sankey mentioned. “However we’ve to acknowledge the CFP choice course of is a vital governing issue, or choice making issue, that contributes to the eventual outcomes of whether or not it’s non convention video games or whether or not it’s the variety of video games performed inside conferences.”
Many inside the convention consider the choice is tied as to if the SEC and Massive Ten get assured bids in a brand new CFP format. The conferences have mentioned a 14-team format the place every convention would get 4 assured bids. The concept has acquired a whole lot of blowback.
Sankey confirmed {that a} dialogue has taken place, calling them “allocations” somewhat than assured bids. He mentioned it Monday evening once more within the context of the CFP choice committee whereas additionally acknowledging criticism and indicating no choice needs to be made quickly.
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“Have our athletics administrators joined in dialog about extra allocations, whether or not you need to name that computerized bids? Positive,” Sankey mentioned. “They’ve additionally talked about concepts of evaluating power of schedule and attempting to higher perceive how that evaluation is made.
“I feel we must always most likely decelerate a little bit bit it leaping to conclusions, as a result of there’s loads to a whole lot of work to do in a brief time frame, whether or not or not it’s our scheduling selections or discussions in regards to the future Faculty Soccer Playoff.”
The SEC schedule choice looms, with no format set for 2026 and past. The monetary a part of the choice entails ESPN and whether or not it pays SEC extra for an additional convention sport. The aggressive half previously was about groups wanting sufficient wins to develop into bowl-eligible. That triggered faculties resembling Kentucky and Mississippi State to have reservations.
Now, the CFP choice standards might loom even bigger, with larger faculties resembling Alabama and Georgia, which had favored going to 9 video games, voicing some trepidation.
Both method, a choice must be made within the coming months. Sankey alluded to occasions of a day earlier, when he flipped a coin to resolve seeding within the SEC girls’s basketball match.
“Perhaps we’ll flip a coin over eight or 9,” Sankey mentioned, smiling. “We’ve obtained some follow.”
(Picture: Todd Kirkland / Getty Pictures)
Seth Emerson is a senior author for The Athletic masking Georgia and the SEC. Seth joined The Athletic in 2018 from The Atlanta Journal-Structure, and likewise coated the Bulldogs and the SEC for The Albany Herald from 2002-05. Seth additionally coated South Carolina for The State from 2005-10. Comply with Seth on Twitter @SethWEmerson

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