College football is more popular than ever, yet it stands at a crossroads where systemic fixes are long overdue. The sport has grown richer and more influential while its governance remains thin and out of touch.
It is money that fuels this machine, thanks to the expanded College Football Playoff and rising television revenue. Realignment and the creation of super conferences have produced a massive windfall, with the reconfigured SEC and Big Ten in particular benefiting from the addition of big programs.
Ratings are through the roof, donors are pouring money into the sport, and playoff expansion is near certain. But with name, image and likeness payments, the unrestricted transfer portal, the widening gap in strength of schedule, and incentive structures rapidly changing, there have been plenty of negative consequences.
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In this climate, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has become the latest to speak out in favor of putting someone in charge of it all to keep the sport healthy. He argues for leadership that can guide the entire college football enterprise rather than each conference acting in isolation.
“Put somebody in charge,” he said.
“It’s a $1.2 billion industry with not a singular voice in charge of it making decisions for the betterment of college football.”
“And I think until we get that, we’re going to continue to flounder with some of those areas.”
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“What’s best for the SEC isn’t always what’s best for the other conferences.”
“What’s best for the other conferences isn’t always best for the SEC.”
“In theory, this would be the job of the head of the NCAA.”
The NCAA has become a virtual nonentity in college football, serving mostly to grant eligibility waivers.
The 2026 to 2027 playoff will remain at 12 teams because the Big Ten and SEC couldn’t agree on a configuration and selection criteria.
As Kirk Herbstreit has suggested, the Power 4 conferences could split off and leave the Group of 5 behind. Otherwise, a centralized authority remains the only credible way to safeguard the sport for the long haul.
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