Outgoing Big 12 Commish: Multiple CFP Bids ‘Deserved’ As First Rankings Loom

The Big 12 conference is preparing to make multiple bids for the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP), a first in its history. Currently, the conference is 1-9 in the Playoff era, with TCU's win over Michigan being their only victory. The Big 12 has a unique position, as it's the only Power 4 conference that hasn't received multiple bids in one year. The conference has been positioned well ahead of the playoff rankings release next week, with six teams in the AP Top 25 Poll, three of which are in the top 15.

Outgoing Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark believes that having multiple teams in the CFP would validate the investments made by the conference's schools and highlight the depth and strength of football in the Big 12. The conference has seen significant financial growth under Yormark's leadership, including a sponsorship deal with Monster Energy and private equity investments.

Yormark acknowledges that multiple teams in the CFP would be "significant but deserved," as the league has multiple teams with strong résumés. The Big 12's ranked teams hold a combined 27-5 record, and four teams have at least one win over an AP Top 15 team.

With multiple bids, there are major financial implications. Since the 12-team format was introduced, the Big Ten leads all conferences in performance-based revenue distribution payments, receiving the most money. The Big 12 is expected to receive $16 million this season. Yormark's legacy will be measured by the conference's performance in the final rankings and the investments made in football during his tenure as commissioner.