Dabo Swinney Says His Opinion on Expanding College Football Playoff Doesn't Matter

ACC and Big 12 conferences plan to publicly back a 24-team College Football Playoff format soon, increasing pressure on the SEC to shift from its preferred 16-team model. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and the Big Ten hold most influence over expansion decisions.

Sankey told reporters this week that the SEC has researched a 16-team setup. "We’re trying to inform that with research. We’ve done that, from our perspective, with 16," he said. "We want to understand, through some analytic support, games that matter in an expanded environment, and games that might not matter."

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said his opinion carries no weight. "It doesn’t really matter what I think," Swinney told reporters at ACC spring meetings in Florida. He added that he has no control over future playoff changes.

Athletic directors and school presidents make the final calls on expansion, not coaches. Coaches' views matter little in the long run, especially with recent firings over the past two years amid heavy spending on rosters and facilities.

Their role is to position teams for playoff contention. Decisions like the SEC's move to a nine-game conference schedule did prompt coach input on playoff chances, but that is the extent of their influence.

Some SEC coaches have spoken publicly on expansion, assuming the extra game would lead to at least 16 teams. Athletic directors listen but prioritize financial success in profitable sports.

Pressure from ACC and Big 12 will grow as they wrap spring meetings. The SEC and Big Ten will decide the playoff's future, regardless of other conferences' rising voices.