Why Would SEC Teams Ever Schedule A Tough Non-Conference Game Again After The Playoff Committee Showed It Means Nada?
As someone with access to college tape and staff of 11 former NFL scouts that logged hundreds of hours evaluating this CFB season, it's easy to see why SEC coaches are upset with final playoff bracket. Based strictly off future NFL talent, Alabama, South Carolina, & Ole Miss (and you can even throw in Florida, Texas A&M, and LSU for that matter) are all easily in Top-12. SEC ADs now have no incentive for scheduling tough non-conference opponents moving forward, which is too bad for college fans.
Call me an old fashioned SEC homer but I have some grievances to air with the College Football Playoff Committee. The SEC only got 3 teams into the inaugural 12 team playoff despite being BY FAR the strongest league in college football. The committee was in a tough spot deciding between three 3 loss SEC teams in Alabama, Ole Miss & South Carolina. And the easiest move to avoid controversy was to select none of them and that is exactly what happened. But let's be real. Three of the best 12 teams in the country are not part of the playoffs. And there's a crap ton of NFL talent on the sidelines this post season because of it.
The committee set a bad precedent for college football going forward by showing all that matters is not losing games. And it does not mean a damn thing if a team plays a hard strength of schedule. SMU & Indiana are great stories this season. There is no denying it. But neither team has a SINGLE Top 25 win?!? But all that matters is they both finished the regular season with 1 loss. It clearly makes no difference that they both beat nobody. So what if Alabama & Ole Miss both beat Georgia?
The SEC is going to cannibalize itself going forward just like it did this season because of the depth in the league in the new NIL world. The precedent has been set that teams must go 6-2 in the league and 4-0 non-conference to get in the playoffs no matter how hard their schedules are.
Because of this, why the hell would an SEC team play a tough non-conference game ever again? LSU/USC and Notre Dame/Texas A&M Week 1.... Gone for good. Risking a loss early is too risky if it can KO a team from the playoffs no matter the opponent. This is AWFUL for college football fans but it is what it is.
What is the solution? I am honestly not sure. The Playoffs could go to 14 or 16 teams in 2026 possibly? Until changes are made, expect SEC teams to change their schedules going forward IMMEDIATELY.