In 2012, when the then P5 demanded autonomy, the unstated threat to the other 285 schools in Dividion 1 was very real.

Since membership in the NCAA is voluntary, there was a real fear thst the P5 would separate. Basketball would also have been impacted because they could start their own post-season play and devastate the NCAA tourney.

We are now faced with the same scenario as the Big Ten and SEC meet to determine their future.

They wielded their combined power when reformatting the last two years of the CFP contract. Fearing consequences, the ACC and Big 12 acquiesced to unequal revenue sharing with the Big 2 receiving more than half the net revenue.

According to sources, when the new CFP contract is crafted, the so-called P2 will want four automatic bids each to the playoffs.

Some want to limit, or otherwise control, the authority of the CFP selection committee, so that they would have a greater say in which of their members make the playoffs.

They may argue for more than their combined 58% of the profits.

If they don’t get their way, they could abandon CFP and, with the aid of their media partners, create a playoff system exclusive to their conferences. TV viewership numbers suggest that such a playoff would be incredibly popular.

Just like in 2012-14, there really isn’t much there rest can do.