Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire points out the clear bias in the Big 10 and SEC for the playoff model.

With all their resources, including millions of dollars, security measures, transfer portals, and NIL opportunities, players and coaches find themselves in a peculiar position regarding one aspect of their jobs—they are as much spectators as the fans who watch their games.

College coaches aiming for inclusion in the expanded playoffs are essentially on the sidelines, observing. Each coach harbors their own thoughts on the yet-to-be-decided format, which may perpetually function more as an invitation than a genuine playoff, and their viewpoints carry weight akin to those of the fans.

The format for the expanded playoff remains a subject of discussion, with the Big 10 and SEC attempting to sway others to accept their terms, while ESPN holds the power to end the debate instantly. College football largely operates as a television property, with networks paying for the broadcasting rights of live content that dominates fall Saturdays.

Amidst this, some coaches, including one from the Power Four conferences, are unafraid to voice their opinions. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire, for instance, refuses to endorse any model that heavily favors the Big 10 and SEC, citing a perfectly reasonable concern.

“I view it like this: I could envision the SEC securing two spots, likely for Alabama and Georgia,” McGuire expressed in a recent interview at AT&T Jones Stadium in Lubbock. “Now that Texas is in the SEC, I might include them, even though I’m 1-1 against them, but they dominated us the last time we faced off. If I were in the Big 10, I’d anticipate Michigan and Ohio State earning spots, and then it’s everyone else affiliated with that conference.

” On behalf of those outside the Big 10 or SEC, “Amen, coach.”

“Let’s be honest, I read the other day (a report) included Ole Miss in this discussion. We beat Ole Miss two years ago and it wasn’t a close game,” McGuire remarked, referring to Tech’s 45-22 victory over Ole Miss in the 2022 Texas Bowl.

“It’s important to be cautious not to categorize conferences by tiers, such as saying ‘The SEC is this and the Big 10 is this.’ Let’s face it – if Georgia is in any conference, that conference becomes the top one. If Georgia were in the Pac-12, the Pac-12 would still be formidable.

“McGuire’s opinion encapsulates several valid points. The dominance of the Big 10 is often narrowed down to Michigan and Ohio State, making it arguably the most overvalued and underperforming conference. Its prominence is largely attributed to the size of enrollments and alumni bases of its member schools, as well as their proximity to major metropolitan areas.

Georgia, Alabama, and LSU make up the SEC. It’s not Florida, even if it should be. Tennessee should also be included.

However, it’s not. It’s not Oklahoma or Texas. In the most recent playoff models being explored, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive three automatic qualifiers into a 14-team field, with the ACC and Big 12 receiving two apiece and the top team from the Group of Five qualifying as well, according to college football reporter Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.

Under such a format, the top-ranked clubs outside of the automatic qualifiers would receive three at-large slots. This is only logical in college football teams. Alternatively, “work.” It is successful because consumers are compelled to purchase it in one way or another.

Comparing college football to the NFL is often a misstep. The NFL operates as a business with 32 franchises that adhere to various regulations, particularly regarding player salaries.

This setup ensures a level playing field, akin to a company softball game where both the McDonald’s team in New York City and the one in Kansas City have equal opportunities. In contrast, major college football accommodates over 60 teams across a diverse spectrum of resources and capabilities.

It’s more like a softball game between the upscale New Orleans’ Commander’s Palace and Clown Burger in Haltom City, Texas. Finding a perfect solution for college football’s complexities is challenging, and even with an expanded model, the outcome may still favor the same dominant teams.

Some of the teams in these expanded leagues may soon realize that they are vulnerable to becoming the next Nebraska—a former powerhouse that, in a crowded landscape, struggles to maintain relevance.

This situation, epitomized by teams like Nebraska, highlights the challenges of adapting to new dynamics within massive conferences. The primary goal of these expansions is to increase the number of matchups between large state schools, which helps boost stadium attendance and revenue.

However, this approach also risks perpetuating a system that favors the Big 10 and the SEC, even if it’s not necessarily fair to other teams. As the expanded playoff approaches, stakeholders should prepare for a bracket that heavily favors these dominant conferences.