So this is the latest chapter in the long, messed-up history of college football and its eternal pursuit of determining a champion and making a lot of money in the process. The SEC/Big Ten’s reasoning undoubtedly falls back on the oldest debate in college football — difficulty of schedule.

The SEC and Big Ten are tightening their grip on the College Football Playoff, leaving the rest of the sport, including Clemson and the ACC, to deal with the fallout. Reports this week confirm that once the new ESPN contract begins in 2026,