The 2026‑27 College Football Playoff bracket has already been locked in, but the conversation around its composition is already heating up. CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford recently laid out ten predictions for the upcoming tournament, one of which carries a thinly veiled dig at the SEC.
The SEC's Playoff Predicament
The SEC has long argued that its depth should guarantee multiple bids, yet Crawford expects the conference’s top‑20 programs to engage in aggressive politicking when the selection committee meets. His forecast comes as the league’s recent postseason results have been underwhelming, a stark contrast to the Big Ten’s three straight national titles.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey may find his stance on playoff expansion forced to evolve if the conference fails to top the nation in playoff participants. The pressure is amplified by the fact that the stars who powered the SEC’s four‑year championship streak from 2019 to 2022 have now moved on from college football.
Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin and other coaches watch the shifting power balance, while analyst Paul Finebaum notes that programs like Notre Dame could become the loudest voices if they are left out of the bracket.