Alabama AD already lobbying for SEC teams in expanded CFP

With the introduction of the expanded 12-team format this upcoming season, a 9-3 team making the College Football Playoff no longer seems far-fetched.

Southeastern Conference leaders are already arguing that a 9-3 SEC team would deserve a CFP berth, given the conference's strength.

"If you played a tough schedule, a 9-3 team better be considered," Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne told CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd. "I've heard we're pretty good in football in the Southeastern Conference."

SEC teams may face a tougher road to the CFP. In his latest post-spring Top 25 rankings, ESPN's Mark Schlabach placed five of the 16 SEC teams (Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, Alabama and Missouri) in his top 10.

No 9-3 team has played for a national championship since the BCS/CFP era started in 1998. The 2007 LSU Tigers are the only two-loss team that has won a title.

Although the new format offers more spots, they still come at a premium. The five highest-ranked conference champions automatically qualify, leaving seven at-large bids determined by a 13-person committee.

Does this leave 9-3 teams out of the picture? Not necessarily; Dodd notes 28 teams with at least three losses would've made the 12-team CFP had it been held over the past 26 years.

Plus, the committee may want teams to schedule high-stakes non-conference games that attract large audiences. Last season, a Week 2 matchup between Alabama and Texas — then in the Big 12 — peaked at 10.7M viewers, making it ESPN's most-watched regular season game since 2015.

"There was so much excitement in the country that week. You want good matchups like that," Byrne said. "I certainly hope that those last few spots when it comes to seeding for the playoff that strength of schedule is recognized. Otherwise, why play the games?"

Don't be stunned if the conference gets what it wants and a 9-3 SEC team eventually makes the expanded CFP.