The SEC Spring Media Meetings got underway this week, and Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, of course, had a lot to say. The first question he was asked was always going to be about the College Football Playoff after SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey's comments regarding the model moving forward.
Kiffin had a lengthy answer to the question regarding what had happened previously, with flaws in everything from the four-team playoff to the 12-team format we have now. However, he does not believe the best system is currently on the table.
"The best system should be 16, and the 16 best."Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin is not sure how that is figured out but points to the basketball, softball, and baseball rankings for the NCAA Tournaments, but is aware they play many more non-conference games, so that could be easier. However, he believes getting the best 16 teams in without automatic bids is the way to go.
It's no surprise that his way of thinking would benefit the SEC, and why would he not look at his program as one of the best 16 teams, according to the CFP committee, which would have seen Ole Miss cut in three of the last four seasons.
Sankey and the rest of the SEC are going to push for what will benefit the conference, but a 16-team playoff with the best teams would likely benefit the SEC and the Big Ten, the two major conferences. Going on the 2024 top 16 from the CFP rankings, it would mean ten of the 16 spots would be taken up by those teams, and six of the eight hosting spots would also be those conferences.
The big conferences are pushing to remove automatic bids, with the ACC and Big 12 not wanting to, despite the pressure; it is unlikely to happen. Kiffin was on form, as usual, discussing the transfer portal and many other things in the college football world.