The recent shift in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, where Alabama leapfrogged Miami, highlights the troubling dynamics of college football’s power structure. The Crimson Tide, with three losses, now sit ahead of two-loss Miami, despite the latter’s stronger season performance. This shift underscores how influential the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its commissioner, Greg Sankey, have become in the sport’s decision-making, particularly with the upcoming expansion to a 12-team playoff. Sankey’s authority, alongside Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, has led to the two conferences holding substantial sway over college football’s future.
Alabama’s position is more than just a minor ranking issue; it reflects the broader advantages enjoyed by SEC teams, particularly Alabama, which has long benefitted from favorable perceptions. This is evident in how the CFP committee treats Alabama’s record, which includes a controversial placement in last year’s playoffs despite a loss. This season, even with a less impressive record, Alabama is ahead of Miami in the rankings, something that has sparked anger from those who support Miami, especially after the Hurricanes’ strong win over an SEC team.
Miami’s athletic director, Dan Radakovich, expressed his dissatisfaction on social media, as the Hurricanes were penalized for losing narrowly to ranked teams, while Alabama’s embarrassing defeat to Oklahoma went largely overlooked. CFP chair Warde Manuel defended Alabama’s higher ranking by pointing to their superior record against ranked teams and teams with winning records. However, this rationale fails to fully account for Miami’s own strong season and could be seen as an example of SEC bias. The committee also argued that Miami’s recent losses hurt their chances, but their defeats were to respectable teams like Syracuse and Georgia Tech—teams with respectable records, unlike Alabama’s three-touchdown loss to Oklahoma.
This constant discrepancy raises questions about fairness in college football. While Alabama’s success is deserved, it is increasingly difficult to ignore the perception that SEC teams get preferential treatment in rankings, making it harder for teams from other conferences to break through. As the CFP’s format changes in 2027, the SEC’s power, bolstered by Sankey’s influence, seems unlikely to diminish, perpetuating an imbalanced system that often leaves other teams at a disadvantage.