Battle lines are forming in the ongoing debate for the College Football Playoff's future format. The Big Ten wants to rig the playoff. The Big 12 and ACC fight against that.

The SEC hangs out in the middle, unsure whether to side with the Big Ten or the other power conferences.

To rig, or not to rig? That is the question.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams unpack the leading playoff formats under consideration.

The hosts reject one potential playoff format, while keeping an open mind to two others. And they explain why the SEC holds the trump cards in this negotiation.

Battle lines are forming in the ongoing debate for <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/05/27/college-football-playoff-format-auto-bid-big-ten-sec/83661687007/" aria-label="Link the College Football Playoff's future format">the College Football Playoff's future format</a>. The Big Ten wants to rig the playoff. The Big 12 and ACC fight against that.
The SEC hangs out in the middle, unsure whether to side with the Big Ten or the other power conferences.
To rig, or not to rig? That is the question.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> unpack the leading playoff formats under consideration.
The hosts reject one potential playoff format, while keeping an open mind to two others. And they explain why the SEC holds the trump cards in this negotiation.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

SEC must decide whether to rig the College Football Playoff

The mighty SEC has fallen off its perch. It no longer rules college football. For the third straight season, the SEC has been shut out of the national championship game. If Indiana beats Miami, that will mark three straight national titles for the Big Ten.

How does the SEC get the crown back?

Start in Texas. The Longhorns failed to live up to the hype in Arch Manning's first season as starter, but they finished the year in strong fashion. The conversation for 2026 SEC frontrunners starts in Austin. Just consider what Steve Sarkisian is doing in the transfer portal, where he secured a premier wide receiver to pair with Manning.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate whether they're ready to buy in on more Texas hype after the Longhorns wilted in the spotlight this season. They also discuss why they're a bit hesitant to go all-in on LSU in Lane Kiffin's first season, even after the Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt in the transfer portal.

Then, they pivot to Alabama. The Tide have a problem, but it's not Kalen DeBoer. Finally, they issue their picks for the national championship game.

The mighty SEC has <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2026/01/02/alabama-football-embarrassed-kalen-deboer-indiana-rose-bowl-sec-big-ten-record/87939308007/" aria-label="Link fallen off its perch">fallen off its perch</a>. It no longer rules college football. For the third straight season, the SEC has been shut out of the national championship game. If <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/09/indiana-football-score-peach-bowl-oregon-curt-cignetti-cfp-semifinal-fernando-mendoza/88030108007/" aria-label="Link Indiana">Indiana</a> beats Miami, that will mark three straight national titles for the Big Ten.
How does the SEC get the crown back?
Start in Texas. The Longhorns failed to live up to the hype in Arch Manning's first season as starter, but they finished the year in strong fashion. The conversation for 2026 SEC frontrunners starts in Austin. Just consider what Steve Sarkisian is doing in the transfer portal, where he secured a premier wide receiver to pair with Manning.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> debate whether they're ready to buy in on more Texas hype after the Longhorns wilted in the spotlight this season. They also discuss why they're a bit hesitant to go all-in on LSU in Lane Kiffin's first season, even after the <a href="https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2026/01/12/sam-leavitt-transfer-portal-lsu-football-lane-kiffin/88143318007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z11xx20p000750c000750d00----v11xx20d--xx--b--xx--&amp;gca-ft=43&amp;gca-ds=sophi" aria-label="Link Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt">Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt</a> in the transfer portal.
Then, they pivot to Alabama. The Tide have a problem, but it's not <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/10/why-didnt-alabama-football-hire-curt-cignetti-replace-nick-saban/88030121007/" aria-label="Link Kalen DeBoer">Kalen DeBoer</a>. Finally, they issue their picks for the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/10/indiana-football-score-oregon-dyj-national-championship-game-vs-miami-curt-cignetti-fernando-mendoza/88030114007/" aria-label="Link national championship game">national championship game</a>.

The mighty SEC has fallen off its perch. It no longer rules college football. For the third straight season, the SEC has been shut out of the national championship game. If Indiana beats Miami, that will mark three straight national titles for the Big Ten. How does the SEC get the crown back? Start in Texas. The Longhorns failed to live up to the hype in Arch Manning's first season as starter, but they finished the year in strong fashion. The conversation for 2026 SEC frontrunners starts in Austin. Just consider what Steve Sarkisian is doing in the transfer portal, where he secured a premier wide receiver to pair with Manning. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate whether they're ready to buy in on more Texas hype after the Longhorns wilted in the spotlight this season. They also discuss why they're a bit hesitant to go all-in on LSU in Lane Kiffin's first season, even after the Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt in the transfer portal. Then, they pivot to Alabama. The Tide have a problem, but it's not Kalen DeBoer. Finally, they issue their picks for the national championship game.

Why Texas, Arch Manning are SEC's best hope to steal glory back from Big Ten

The SEC's hopes rest on the shoulders of Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss. While most of the SEC flopped in the postseason, the Rebels have become the toast of college football, as they continue to win even after Lane Kiffin's exit.

Can the Rebels reach the finish line? If so, can the Heisman Trophy redirect its way into Chambliss' hands? The latter won't happen. The former? Maybe.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate why the SEC has fallen off its throne as college football's almighty overlord. Toppmeyer says Alabama's whimpering finish under Indiana's fist at the Rose Bowl shows just how far the SEC has fallen. He compares the Tide to a Big Ten team that finished 9-4. The hosts discuss how much better, if at all, Alabama would be right now if Nick Saban still coached the Tide.

Adams assesses where he'd rank Ole Miss in the pecking order of playoff semifinalists, and the hosts make their Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl picks against the spread.

Also, Toppmeyer fesses up: He wishes he could make one change to his Heisman ballot, involving an SEC quarterback.

The SEC's hopes rest on the shoulders of Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss. While most of the SEC flopped in the postseason, the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/02/ole-miss-football-in-cfp-semifinals-behind-pete-golding-trinidad-chambliss-beat-georgia-sugar-bowl/87939307007/" aria-label="Link Rebels have become the toast of college football">Rebels have become the toast of college football</a>, as they <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/01/mississippi-georgia-score-sugar-bowl-cfp/87939303007/" aria-label="Link continue to win">continue to win</a> even after Lane Kiffin's exit.
Can the Rebels reach the finish line? If so, can the Heisman Trophy redirect its way into Chambliss' hands? The latter won't happen. The former? Maybe.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> debate why the SEC has fallen off its throne as college football's almighty overlord. Toppmeyer says Alabama's whimpering finish under Indiana's fist at the Rose Bowl shows just how far the SEC has fallen. He <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2026/01/02/alabama-football-embarrassed-kalen-deboer-indiana-rose-bowl-sec-big-ten-record/87939308007/" aria-label="Link compares the Tide to a Big Ten team">compares the Tide to a Big Ten team</a> that finished 9-4. The hosts discuss how much better, if at all, Alabama would be right now if Nick Saban still coached the Tide.
Adams assesses where he'd rank Ole Miss in the pecking order of playoff semifinalists, and the hosts make their Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl picks against the spread.
Also, Toppmeyer fesses up: He wishes he could make one change to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/12/17/diego-pavia-f-all-the-voters-heisman-trophy-snub-reaction/87775015007/" aria-label="Link his Heisman ballot">his Heisman ballot</a>, involving an SEC quarterback.

The SEC's hopes rest on the shoulders of Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss. While most of the SEC flopped in the postseason, the Rebels have become the toast of college football, as they continue to win even after Lane Kiffin's exit. Can the Rebels reach the finish line? If so, can the Heisman Trophy redirect its way into Chambliss' hands? The latter won't happen. The former? Maybe. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate why the SEC has fallen off its throne as college football's almighty overlord. Toppmeyer says Alabama's whimpering finish under Indiana's fist at the Rose Bowl shows just how far the SEC has fallen. He compares the Tide to a Big Ten team that finished 9-4. The hosts discuss how much better, if at all, Alabama would be right now if Nick Saban still coached the Tide. Adams assesses where he'd rank Ole Miss in the pecking order of playoff semifinalists, and the hosts make their Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl picks against the spread. Also, Toppmeyer fesses up: He wishes he could make one change to his Heisman ballot, involving an SEC quarterback.

SEC smells of being overrated. Can Ole Miss stop the conference's postseason flop?

The Big Ten is thriving so far this postseason. With a couple of exceptions, the SEC is wilting.

And what of the coaching carousel? Did the Big Ten club the SEC there, too? You could make that case.

LSU scored the big fish by securing Lane Kiffin. Mostly, though, SEC schools hired promising but largely unproven up and comers, while Big Ten schools like Michigan and Penn State landed veteran winners with solid resumes.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams evaluate which conference did it better in this hiring cycle. They also debate which conference has the more complete roster of coaches. And they discuss which SEC schools would have been well-served by hiring Kyle Whittingham, who wound up at Michigan.

Later in the episode, the hosts unpack the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchups, including what's at stake for Kalen DeBoer in Alabama-Indiana and whether Mississippi plays with house money in a rematch with Georgia.

The <a href="https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/football/2025/12/30/illinois-tennessee-live-score-updates-music-city-bowl-game/87881618007/" aria-label="Link Big Ten is thriving">Big Ten is thriving</a> so far this postseason. With a couple of exceptions, the <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2025/12/30/tennessee-football-illinois-music-city-josh-heupel-joey-aguilar/87881394007/" aria-label="Link SEC is wilting">SEC is wilting</a>.
And what of the coaching carousel? Did the Big Ten club the SEC there, too? You could make that case.
LSU scored the big fish by securing <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/12/29/ole-miss-revenge-lane-kiffin-national-championship-mississippi-georgia-sugar-bowl-cfp-playoff/87884824007/" aria-label="Link Lane Kiffin">Lane Kiffin</a>. Mostly, though, SEC schools hired promising but largely unproven up and comers, while Big Ten schools like Michigan and Penn State landed veteran winners with solid resumes.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> evaluate which conference did it better in this hiring cycle. They also debate which conference has the more complete roster of coaches. And they discuss which SEC schools would have been well-served by hiring <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2025/12/26/michigan-football-hiring-kyle-whittingham-grading-hire/87922862007/" aria-label="Link Kyle Whittingham">Kyle Whittingham</a>, who wound up at Michigan.
Later in the episode, the hosts unpack the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchups, including what's at stake for Kalen DeBoer in Alabama-Indiana and whether <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/12/29/ole-miss-revenge-lane-kiffin-national-championship-mississippi-georgia-sugar-bowl-cfp-playoff/87884824007/" aria-label="Link Mississippi plays with house money">Mississippi plays with house money</a> in a rematch with Georgia.

The Big Ten is thriving so far this postseason. With a couple of exceptions, the SEC is wilting. And what of the coaching carousel? Did the Big Ten club the SEC there, too? You could make that case. LSU scored the big fish by securing Lane Kiffin. Mostly, though, SEC schools hired promising but largely unproven up and comers, while Big Ten schools like Michigan and Penn State landed veteran winners with solid resumes. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams evaluate which conference did it better in this hiring cycle. They also debate which conference has the more complete roster of coaches. And they discuss which SEC schools would have been well-served by hiring Kyle Whittingham, who wound up at Michigan. Later in the episode, the hosts unpack the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchups, including what's at stake for Kalen DeBoer in Alabama-Indiana and whether Mississippi plays with house money in a rematch with Georgia.

SEC must decide whether to rig the College Football Playoff

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