There has been a lot of shakeup both within the SEC and college football itself over recent years, and that is not ending. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey recently revealed a potential College Football Playoff change that could impact both Alabama and its conference.
Sankey dropped the information in the most nonchalant fashion possible during one of his most recent appearances on "The Paul Finebaum Show" when he was discussing multiple conference topics.
"We have to make a decision if we vary from 12 (teams)," Sankey said. "And last year, we decided to not vary from the 12-team format," Sankey said. "I think those were the two kind of key issues, and the discussion around bowl games. So there are some differences."
What Sankey said next was more eyebrow-raising, though.
Greg Sankey hints at a major possible change to the College Football Playoff
"So, it's interesting, next year, the opportunity for the one seed to pick its path," Sankey continued. "The location of its quarterfinal bowl and the location of its semifinal bowl, and then the two seed to have a quarterfinal bowl option, and then obviously placed in the semifinal bowl.
The way those words seemed to roll off of Sankey's tongue almost makes it sound like all of this is not any major news to look at. But, it actually is quite impactful and could have a huge impact on what college football in and out of the SEC looks like moving forward.
Outside of the fact it has apparently been a very real topic of discussion to vary from the 12-team format in the CFP, the biggest takeaway from Sankey's comments is not that. It is that the No. 1 seed would wield a lot of power, as it could control its own path by selecting the quarterfinal and semifinal bowl locations in which it wants to play.
While the top four seeds get a bye week to open up the postseason -- something that is beneficial in and of itself -- there's an additional incentive now for teams to possess the top seed. Not only is it the most prestigious, but it also comes with the ability to choose its most preferred and advantageous path.
Future of the SEC Championship Game
Another thing people have their eyes on ahead of what will be some of the most important spring meetings we have seen in a while is the future of the SECCG.
It's become a bit of a controversial subject, especially with the changes made to the CFP over the years. Some argue that it has become a meaningless game, while some say it's a prestigious contest in its own right with the rich tradition that surrounds it.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is among those whose past comments have made clear that he does err toward the latter. But even with as strongly as he's shown appreciation to the SECCG in the past, he now at least thinks he could find a way to support its removal from a purely logical perspective.
"I'm an enthusiast. I love the game," Smart said in a recent appearance on "The Paul Finebaum Show". "If we can get our season over and the national championship done earlier by way of removing that game, I think I could find a way to support that. But I also think you just had Greg Sankey up here, and he would argue that game puts a lot of money into our programs. And you're turning down money in an era when money is tight in a lot of the athletic departments."
There's a lot up in the air, and nothing is beyond the realm of conversation. The question is how college football balances the dance it's doing between NIL in a new era and the very tradition it is rooted in.
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