Greg Sankey Faces Criticism Over Comments on SEC Disrespect
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is set to feature prominently in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP), with four teams likely securing spots: No. 2 Texas, No. 7 Georgia, No. 9 Tennessee, and No. 11 Alabama. However, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has sparked debate by claiming the conference is still not receiving the respect it deserves.
During an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday, Sankey passionately defended the inclusion of three-loss Alabama in the playoff over two-loss Miami, while advocating for even greater SEC representation. His comments have ignited backlash from college football fans and analysts, many of whom view his stance as self-serving and reflective of SEC entitlement.
Sankey’s Argument for SEC Superiority
Sankey highlighted the SEC’s strength of schedule and performance against other conferences as key reasons why it deserves greater recognition.
“Our strength of schedule — there’s 25 ranked teams by the CFP, and only one of them has a schedule strength comparable to any of [our 16 teams],” Sankey argued. “In fact, 14 of our teams have a stronger schedule than all but one of the CFP top 25 teams. Strength of schedule is the first principle listed for CFP consideration, and it’s not just about wins and losses but about challenging yourself.”
Sankey also cited the SEC’s 8-3 record against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) teams during the regular season, emphasizing marquee victories such as Georgia’s dominant opening win over Clemson and South Carolina’s victory against the same opponent. “This is the strongest league in college football, and it needs to be respected for that,” he asserted.
Criticism from Fans and Analysts
Sankey’s remarks did not sit well with many, who pointed out that the SEC is already well-represented in the playoff, including the contentious inclusion of Alabama. Critics took to social media to voice their disdain, accusing Sankey of overstating the SEC’s superiority and ignoring valid arguments for teams from other conferences.
"[The SEC] is the strongest league in college football and it needs to be respected for that."
—SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey on the CFP picture pic.twitter.com/CUDxZtvabY
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 7, 2024
- NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach questioned Sankey’s grievance: “He’s likely getting four SEC teams into the 12-team field, including three-loss Alabama — is that not respect?”
- Others mocked Sankey’s comments, with one fan sarcastically remarking, “By ‘strongest,’ we mean ‘richest’ league that has the most advantages and would like to be richer. ‘ReSPeCT uS bECaUsE wE SaID sO!’”
Critics also noted the SEC’s relatively lenient scheduling practices, with one fan suggesting, “Play a 9th conference game then, you cowards,” referencing the SEC’s eight-game conference schedule compared to other conferences’ nine-game formats. Another quipped, “They play an 8-team conference schedule and still lose at least three games. The SEC entitlement is disgraceful.”
Some fans took direct aim at the inconsistency of Sankey’s argument, referencing hypothetical scenarios that expose contradictions in his logic: “Greg Sankey on ESPN telling everyone that Miami’s win over Florida that beat Ole Miss who beat Georgia who beat Texas should be in front of all of them. Losing doesn’t matter; beating an SEC team should be respected .”
Contextualizing the SEC’s Position
Despite Sankey’s defense, other conferences also have strong claims to superiority this season. The Big Ten has matched the SEC with four teams in the CFP: No. 1 Oregon, No. 3 Penn State, No. 6 Ohio State, and No. 9 Indiana. The ACC could also emerge as a significant presence if Clemson defeats SMU in the ACC Championship, which would give the conference three teams with 10 or more wins: Clemson, Miami, and SMU.
Additionally, critics argue that SEC dominance is no longer as clear-cut as in previous years. For example, Texas, a newcomer to the SEC from the Big 12, has already risen to No. 2 in its first year, challenging the notion that SEC membership inherently reflects superior football.
A Divisive Debate
Sankey’s comments have reignited longstanding debates about the SEC’s perceived privilege in college football. While the conference has historically dominated the sport, its critics argue that its scheduling practices and rhetoric often overshadow the accomplishments of other leagues. The introduction of the 12-team playoff was supposed to address such issues, but Sankey’s remarks suggest that perceptions of bias and favoritism remain alive and well.
As the CFP committee prepares to finalize the field, the arguments over strength of schedule, conference superiority, and playoff representation are likely to remain central to the college football discourse. Whether the SEC deserves even more recognition or is benefiting from its storied reputation is a debate that won’t be settled anytime soon.
