SEC coach questions conference relevance amid 24-team playoff expansion

Eli Drinkwitz, head coach of Missouri, expressed concerns over the relevance of conference affiliations after the announcement of a 24-team College Football Playoff starting in 2027. As the playoff format will eliminate conference championship games for Power 4 leagues, Drinkwitz questioned the necessity of conferences if teams are not competing for titles. This sentiment comes amid criticisms from other notable figures, including Alabama’s Nick Saban, who feels that not all teams in the expanded playoff field are capable of winning a national championship. The upcoming playoff changes will prioritize regular-season standings to determine conference champions rather than relying on end-of-season championship games.

• 3:11 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Why are we associated with conferences anymore?’ SEC coach questions the point of conferences in 24-team playoff