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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Takes Clear Shot At Other Conferences

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Nov 21, 2024 5:29 PM ET

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey will hope the College Football Playoff committee gives strong credence to strength of schedule when finalizing the 12-team field.

The importance of a team's schedule is a popular talking point following Tuesday's CFP rankings reveal. Indiana climbed to No. 5 despite none of its 10 victories coming over a ranked opponent. If the Hoosiers fall to Ohio State, the committee must decide how to weigh their resume against multiple two-loss SEC squads vying for a postseason spot.

On Thursday, Sankey posted a telling graphic that depicts his conference favorably. Averaging out three different rankings, he listed the nation's top 15 teams based on the toughest strength of schedule.

Six SEC squads top the chart. ESPN, Jeff Sagarin, and Massey each credit Georgia for possessing the nation's most challenging schedule. Meanwhile, Indiana has the easiest path of the bunch with an average ranking of 83.

Interesting to read analysis from others as they examine “strength of schedule” in college football…it does seem there is a trend to be identified… pic.twitter.com/pXSfxRMxvL
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) November 21, 2024

"Interesting to read analysis from others as they examine 'strength of schedule' in college football," Sankey wrote. "It does seem there is a trend to be identified."

Based on the current rankings, Texas, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama would represent the SEC in the 12-team CFP. No. 11 Tennesse would be the first team left out because the Big 12 champion -- BYU is the conference's top-ranked team at No. 14 -- receives an automatic bid.

However, SEC rivals could cannibalize each other. No SEC team is undefeated in conference play, and only one (at most) will have one loss after Texas closes the regular season at Texas A&M.

Texas lost to Georgia, which defeated Tennessee but lost to Alabama and Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide lost to the Volunteers, who fell to the Bulldogs last Saturday.

Last year, Alabama made the four-team CFP over an undefeated Florida State despite losing by double-digits to Texas. The committee could face a similar situation when rounding out the expanded bracket.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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