Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian used a recent interview to lambast the current state of college football, describing it as a “Wild West” where money, not merit, dictates success.
The Playoff Debate and a Call for a Four‑Team Format
Sarkisian argued that the College Football Playoff selection committee operates without transparency, rewarding programs that can afford multimillion‑dollar rosters built around name, image and likeness deals. He warned that the sport is drifting toward a professional‑style free‑agency system, with boosters effectively bidding for top talent.
While acknowledging that his own Longhorns squad is among the nation’s elite, Sarkisian pointed out that fewer than five percent of college players ever make it to the NFL, underscoring the need for institutions to prioritize academics alongside athletics. He lamented that “students can command real money” and that bidding wars have become commonplace.
The SEC’s Potential Split and Broader Implications
The coach warned that the Southeastern Conference could soon break away to form its own league, a move that would further fragment the sport’s governance. Such a shift, he said, would exacerbate the disparity between power‑conference programs and smaller schools, making meaningful reform even harder.
Sarkisian concluded by urging stakeholders to reconsider the current playoff structure, suggesting a return to a four‑team format that would restore competitive balance and reduce the influence of external financial pressures.