Notre Dame Joins the Good Fight

The future College Football Playoff format remains unresolved even after another round of meetings among the Power Four commissioners last week. But the Big 12 and ACC are finally getting a chance to push for a more equitable solution.

Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger laid out in this piece just how strongly everybody outside the SEC and Big Ten opposes the current proposal that gives the SEC and Big Ten four autobids each. The Big 12, led by Brett Yormark, declined public comment for the story, but the ACC didn’t hesitate to speak out.

Check out this collection of quotes from ACC coaches and administrators:

• “No one likes it.”

• “We are fighting for our spots. We believe we deserve three [automatic qualifiers] as a minimum.”

• “I think you should earn your way in. It comes down to the image of the Big Ten and SEC and where they are, and there’s a lack of respect for the ACC. I don’t like it.”

• “I don’t understand why you’d ask for a guaranteed spot other than one automatic for conference champions.”

Two weeks ago, I said the Big 12 and ACC should just sign off and take their two automatic bids. After seeing how BYU was treated in last year's at-large discussions, multiple teams getting in, even in a 16-team field, is far from guaranteed if it’s not written into the contract.

But right now, I’m fully on board with the ACC’s fight. I’d love to see more public pressure placed on the Big Ten and SEC.

Heck, the ACC even floated the idea of demanding a third autobid. That’s gutsy, and I’m here for it.

Of course, there’s always the risk that the SEC and Big Ten just decide to take their ball and go home by creating their own playoff. It’d surely spark legal battles, but it remains possible.

Any pushback against the Power Two’s demands makes their secession scenario more plausible.

However, the Big 12 and ACC aren’t fighting alone. Notre Dame is on the populist side of this debate, according to Dellenger’s article:

"Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, one of 11 members of the CFP governance board with the 10 FBS commissioners, has spoken against the format within meetings, those with knowledge of the discussions tell Yahoo Sports."

Having Notre Dame backing your position is massive. It speaks volumes about the ACC’s unity on this issue, as Notre Dame competes in the ACC for all sports except football.

Does Notre Dame single-handedly shift the power dynamics in deciding the playoff’s future? No—that still rests firmly with the SEC and Big Ten.

But the Fighting Irish’s brand power helps draw a clear line in the sand between the Power (Hungry) Two and literally everyone else.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petiti already retreated once before from their four-autobid push due to public backlash. Now, they’re not only dealing with fan outrage, but also pressure from Notre Dame and even elected officials.

Congressman Boyle’s tweet comes at a moment when a presidential commission on college sports, with Big 12 grad Cody Campbell serving as co-chair, is moving forward.

We’re approaching a point of critical mass. Fans, administrators, and politicians alike are tired of seeing college football (and college athletics more broadly) threatened by the unchecked greed of the SEC, Big Ten, Fox, and ESPN.

Nobody wants to squeeze more toothpaste out of the tube that can’t be put back.

Maybe in the end, the SEC and Big Ten will still get their way. But one thing is clear—the rest of us aren’t going down without a fight.

What You Need to Know

• USA Today uncovered the tax returns of every power conference and found that the Big 12’s per-team payout was less than the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC. The Big 12 also saw a drop in revenue in 2024, but there was a good reason for it. Learn more here. 

• Should you be alarmed that Big 12 teams made less than the ACC did last year? I’ll have a more detailed explanation in my next newsletter, but if you want a head start on that, check out my latest YouTube video. 

• Tennessee quietly passed a law to shield state schools from new NIL enforcement rules, but the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, and ACC have drafted a groundbreaking membership agreement to override conflicting state laws, enforce NIL regulations, and require schools to waive their right to sue the new enforcement entity.

• As On3’s Andy Staples points out, this could theoretically force a conference to threaten to kick a school out for following a state law that would continue to allow pay-for-play. 

• Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland signed a contract extension through 2030-31. It’s well deserved coming off of an Elite Eight appearance and a roster that may be good enough to crack the preseason top ten this fall.

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