The Huge Ten and SEC are in preliminary discussions about staging a collection of nonconference video games with one another that may improve their primacy and monetary dominance over the remainder of FBS, sources confirmed to CBS Sports activities. Groups from FBS’ two strongest conferences would play as many as 12 to 16 “problem” video games much like the nonconference blockbuster matchups in main school basketball, per USA Right now, which first reported the discussions. 

For tv functions, media rights holders would in all probability have an interest largely within the title manufacturers similar to Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and LSU, for starters. 

Sources stated eyes had been opened this season after directors noticed the incomes potential of video games like Texas-Michigan and Alabama-Wisconsin. These video games had been scheduled earlier than the most recent spherical of realignment, however scheduling extra of them sooner or later would increase income for the 2 conferences already far forward of the remainder of FBS in incomes energy. 

ESPN owns the SEC media rights and would seemingly have essentially the most to make off any such deal. The Huge Ten media rights are break up between Fox, NBC and CBS.

The talks had been stated to be “very preliminary” and monetary phrases haven’t been mentioned in accordance with sources. 

“This has an extended solution to go,” stated an individual accustomed to the talks, who added there’s a “need” to proceed exploration. 

With main school sports activities about to be hit with the monetary stressors of income sharing (and probably collective bargaining) sooner or later, any solution to generate extra income today must be taken severely. 

Huge Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, a former tv govt, is amongst these focused on creating as many significant video games as doable. Such an settlement would little doubt solidify spots within the expanded 12-team School Soccer Playoff. The FBS conferences and CFP have till December 2025 to current a brand new format and construction to rights holder ESPN for 2026 and past. That format might embrace computerized qualifier spots for a number of conferences. 

The Huge Ten and SEC are seemingly open to the concept now that it has develop into doable within the expanded playoff to lose a number of video games and nonetheless be chosen. These “problem” video games would improve schedule power and never essentially penalize groups for dropping them. 

For instance, Texas (earlier than becoming a member of the SEC) added Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia and Florida to the nonconference schedule with that thought in thoughts. 

One faculty of thought is that the SEC would first should get to 9 convention video games to match the Huge Ten. The SEC has lengthy been in discussions with ESPN concerning the price of a ninth convention sport. If that turns into the case, colleges like South Carolina (with Clemson) and Florida (with Florida State) could possibly be enjoying 11 Energy 4 video games per season in the event you embrace that one “problem” sport.

These new nonconference video games weren’t termed as big windfalls, however they’d be a rise in worth over, say, an present MAC-Huge Ten sport. 

The conferences would hit the jackpot when their present media offers expire. These organized nonconference video games would possible be folded into the offers that expire in 2030 (Huge Ten) and 2034 (SEC). They’d additionally trigger concern by way of the remainder of FBS a couple of separation by these two conferences. 

For now, it is about creating extra high quality content material, particularly because the season winds down in November. An concept to develop the playoff even additional starting in 2026 with computerized qualifiers was shot down earlier this 12 months. The SEC and Huge Ten would every have gotten 4 computerized qualifiers in a 14-team discipline. The Huge 12 and ACC would every have two AQs. 

The Huge 12 and ACC would in all probability be towards AQs at this level as a result of it limits their capacity to get groups within the discipline. The FBS leagues are anticipated to take up discussions once more on these subjects after this season. The SEC and Huge Ten met final week to debate furthering frequent pursuits collectively.