and Big 10 and SEC themselves only can dictate the format in 2026. The 4-4-2-2-1 is just a sideshow. What this does is allows the Big 10 and SEC schedule each other, locking out the other conferences to play them, while Fox and ESPN sink the best timeslots and more money into the Big 10 and SEC at the expense of other conferences. Then, the strength of schedule will be all the talk of Herbie, the rest of the ESPN crew, Fox studio guys, and the national media during playoff teams discussion. There will be no data point for comparison if you can't play them. Virginia Tech plays South Carolina this year. If Tech wins and South Carolina beats some SEC teams vying for the playoff spot, this is one data point the ACC can use for their contending teams.