Oklahoma coach Venables dismisses playoff politics in favour of on-field results
Brent Venables argues that securing a College Football Playoff berth relies on winning games rather than navigating conference politics, as pressure mounts for a 24-team format.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables has urged collegiate programmes to prioritise on-field performance over conference lobbying, asserting that winning football games remains the most reliable method to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Speaking at the SEC Meetings, Venables dismissed concerns regarding automatic bids and institutional politics, arguing that while expansion aims to reduce uncertainty, teams must still control their own destiny through victories.
Venables referenced Oklahoma’s recent season trajectory, noting that a challenging final four games served as a decisive separator. After being ranked No. 12 with a 7-2 record, the Sooners defeated fourth-ranked Alabama, No. 22 Missouri, and LSU to close the season. Venables stated that taking care of business in November was essential for their playoff inclusion, suggesting that without that 4-0 finish, the team would not have deserved a berth.
The discourse at the meetings highlighted a growing divide regarding the structure of the postseason. The Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 are supporting a 24-team format, with Big 12 coaches unanimously backing the expansion and considering the addition of a 10th conference game annually. Conversely, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is reportedly pumping the brakes on immediate implementation, despite several SEC coaches publicly expressing support for a larger bracket.
Venables acknowledged the flaws inherent in human-led selection committees, where bias and varying criteria such as strength of schedule can lead to subjective outcomes. He expressed empathy for teams like 10-win Vanderbilt that missed the playoff last season, while also recognising Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s argument that his three-loss Longhorns deserved consideration due to schedule strength. However, he maintained that teams left arguing on Selection Sunday are often those that failed to handle business on the field.
The push for expansion is driven by a desire for more perceived access, meaningful late-season games, and increased revenue, with power brokers believing that more inventory generally prevails. Venables noted that the format is likely to change, citing his appreciation for the finality of the previous bowl system but acknowledging that the current landscape is shifting. He concluded that while administrators negotiate access, the solution for programmes remains unchanged: win enough games and the rest follows.
