Greg Sankey on SEC's 9-game model: 'Competitors want great challenges'
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
SEC Media Days is underway at the Tampa Marriott, and the talk of the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule beginning this season is the hottest topic of the day so far.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey hopes that the new model, along with a mandatory nonconference game against a team from the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, or Notre Dame, will boost his conference’s chances of maximizing their representation in the College Football Playoff.
Will the change actually work? Sankey was asked whether the CFP selection committee would give heavy weight to the SEC’s new metric when selecting teams for the 12-team playoff. Sankey is hopeful that the committee will be true to their claims of importance surrounding strength of schedule and strength of record.
“I’m actually one who believes competitors want great challenges. I’m unapologetic about that reality,” Sankey said Monday. “As it relates to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, we have heard about strength of schedule, strength of record. I think there were some references for strength of conference.”
Sankey continued by referencing a discussion with several members of the committee during the SEC Spring Meetings in Destin in May about the need to improve the CFP product, which he called “unsatisfactory.” Still, he is hopeful that the move to a nine-game conference slate will force a conversation about the strength of play in the SEC.
“My confidence is that people will act with integrity,” Sankey said. “I do think we have questions about the understanding of the strength and rigor associated with competing in the Southeastern Conference.”
The effects of the SEC moving to a nine-game slate can be seen early on in metrics. ESPN’s Football Power Index shows all 16 SEC teams boasting a top-20 strength of schedule heading into the new year.
Auburn ranks No. 13 in the nation in the category as it is slated to face three teams with a 39% chance or better of reaching the College Football Playoff, and four teams with at least a 1% chance of winning the CFP National Championship.
SEC Media Days continue through Thursday, with Auburn taking the stage on Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. CT.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Greg Sankey on SEC’s 9-game model: ‘Competitors want great challenges’
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos