New Pac-12 commissioner ‘adaptable’ on College Football Playoff expansion but pushes for ‘reasonable access’

New Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould faces an uphill climb. With the Pac-12 fighting for survival and moving on from ex-commissioner George Kliavkoff, the College Football Playoff reworked its format from a “6+6” model to a “5+7” model that takes away one automatic bid from the 12-team field for an extra at-large spot. That puts Oregon State and Washington State, the Pac-12’s remaining members, in a fragile spot. 

Speaking with the media for the first time since taking over earlier in February, Gould addressed some of the more immediate challenges as she steps into a conference that, for the next two years, will have to fight for its very existence. 

College Football Playoff access sits right at the top of Gould’s docket in big, bold letters. Since Oregon State and Washington State, the remaining schools making up the nominal “Pac-2,” cannot compete for a conference championship, they have to battle it out for an “at-large” spot to even have a hope at making the playoff. Gould didn’t understate the importance of ensuring that the Pac-12 is represented in the CFP discussion based on its on-field merits and maintaining fair share of revenue distribution under the current playoff contract. 

“Our job collectively as the leadership of the College Football Playoff is to make sure whatever plan it is, that we have a plan that is adaptable and nimble to the changing times we’re in,” Gould said. 

More change could be on the horizon, however. There is already momentum for further expansion, with 14- and 16-team formats leading discussions. The SEC and Big Ten are said to be pushing for three conference-exclusive auto-bids each in a potential 14-team playoff, which would limit opportunities for conferences that may not have as much of a say…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/new-pac-12-commissioner-adaptable-on-college-football-playoff-expansion-but-pushes-for-reasonable-access/

Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2024-02-29 21:43:44

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