College football coaches have never been shy about questioning the playoff rankings, especially when their teams feel overlooked. But this time, the argument has moved beyond which teams deserve a spot.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey wants Big Ten coaches to settle their complaints on the field, and his comments have raised another question: Is the SEC following the same scheduling standards it expects from others?
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Sankey made his remarks during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show on Nov. 9, responding to criticism from Indiana coach Curt Cignetti and Illinois coach Bret Bielema.
“One of those head coaches canceled a non-conference game with one of our teams. What I would say is, hey, we’re ready to schedule those non-conference games. If you’re concerned about us being overrated, there’s a full regular season.” Sankey said.
He added, “Let’s go. Let’s not run to the microphone in a press conference and complain. Let’s find those opportunities because they’re there.”
Cignetti accused ESPN of favoring the SEC in its coverage of the playoff race, while Bielema suggested that Illinois would receive a higher ranking if it played in the SEC rather than the Big Ten.
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The initial CFP rankings placed five SEC teams in the top 10 and 10 overall. The Big Ten had two teams in the top 10 and six in the rankings. Sankey argued that coaches should schedule SEC opponents if they believe the conference receives favorable treatment. He also pointed to Illinois canceling two games in its nonconference series against Missouri.
This challenge did not sit well with several fans and media members.
One fan criticized the conference’s broader role in reshaping college football, writing on X, “Again. Spare me. Sold our conference off for parts and has the nerve to bust on the other conference that sold itself for parts? Nah. Every single person in that room is an opportunist.”
Again. Spare me. Sold our conference off for parts and has the nerve to bust on the other conference that sold itself for parts? Nah. Every single person in that room is an opportunist.
— Hooch (@CompanyHooch) November 9, 2026
On3 national college football reporter Ari Wasserman offered a different solution, suggesting the conferences should arrange an annual series instead of trading public criticism.
He wrote, “SEC throws a year-long fit about how scheduling hard games is a disadvantage. Big Ten is now throwing a fit about how SEC teams are being unfairly ranked. JUST SCHEDULE AN ANNUAL BIG TEN/SEC CHALLENGE AND QUIT FLIRTING.”
SEC throws a year-long fit about how scheduling hard games is a disadvantage.
Big Ten is now throwing a fit about how SEC teams are being unfairly ranked.
JUST SCHEDULE AN ANNUAL BIG TEN/SEC CHALLENGE AND QUIT FLIRTING
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 9, 2026
The scheduling debate also brought up questions about canceled games involving other conferences. One fan specifically challenged Sankey over the SEC’s past decisions involving Big 12 opponents, posting, “Someone ask Greg Sankey why his SEC teams cancelled at least a dozen games against Big 12 teams.”
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The SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule beginning in 2026 prompted several schools to cancel or restructure future nonconference series, though conference rules still require each team to play at least one nonconference opponent from another power conference or Notre Dame.
Someone ask Greg Sankey why his SEC teams cancelled at least a dozen games against Big 12 teams
— Stanbino (@stanbino7) November 10, 2026
ESPN Louisville sports radio host Mark Blankenbaker shared that concern, pointing to the conference’s own record of dropping nonconference matchups. He wrote, “SEC teams cancel series all the time. What is he doing?”
SEC teams cancel series all the time. What is he doing?
— Mark Blankenbaker (@UofLSheriff50) November 10, 2026
Another fan believes Sankey’s comments could create more problems than they solve, writing, “Comment is gonna backfire on Greg Sankey.”
Comment is gonna backfire on Greg Sankey
— Bruin Pulseᴴᴰ (@BruinPulse) November 9, 2026
The dispute also has a wider playoff context. Critics have noted that Illinois canceled its 2027 and 2028 games against Missouri while arranging a home-and-home with Notre Dame for those same seasons.
They have also pointed to the Big Ten winning the previous three national championships through Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana, while the SEC’s most recent title came in 2022.
Sankey wants coaches to settle their disagreements through games rather than public comments.
