Story perspectives

Oklahoma AD Demands CFP Schedule Rules, Eyes Bedlam Revival

5/28/2026

Summary

Denny Seeks CFP Clarification

Roger Denny, Oklahoma's AD since Feb. 15, is seeking College Football Playoff clarification on strength-of-schedule seeding.
He says a playoff expansion could let Oklahoma schedule tougher non-conference foes and revive the Bedlam rivalry.
The Bedlam series, contested 118 times, last played in 2023 before Oklahoma’s move to the SEC halted it.
Denny stresses Oklahoma will only change its schedule if the CFP rewards stronger opponents.

Summary

SEC Rethinks Playoff

The AFCA proposed a 24-team playoff that would eliminate conference championship games and their ticket revenue.
Greg Byrne, Alabama athletic director, said the SEC Championship Game has “run its course,” implying fading importance.
Kirby Smart warned that dropping the SEC title would cut a key revenue stream for budgets.
Steve Sarkisian suggested a four-team SEC playoff that keeps the championship game, a move Eli Drinkwitz said protects conference revenue.

History

Historical Context

After the 1998 Bowl Championship Series unified the six major conferences and four premier bowls, the system’s disputed champions spurred the 2014 launch of the College Football Playoff. The CFP, now expanded to 12 teams for the 2024 season, revives earlier debates, prompting Oklahoma AD Roger Denny and Alabama AD Greg Byrne to call for further expansion to protect conference revenue.

1 of 3

Denny Seeks CFP Clarification

Roger Denny, Oklahoma's AD since Feb. 15, is seeking College Football Playoff clarification on strength-of-schedule seeding.
He says a playoff expansion could let Oklahoma schedule tougher non-conference foes and revive the Bedlam rivalry.
The Bedlam series, contested 118 times, last played in 2023 before Oklahoma’s move to the SEC halted it.
Denny stresses Oklahoma will only change its schedule if the CFP rewards stronger opponents.

1 / 3