The debate over the future of conference championships centered on college football being the first 12-team team College Football Playoffs comes closer. Some coaches have even gone so far as to say teams won’t want to play in it in the future.

After winning the SEC Championship on Saturday, Georgia Head coach Kirby Smart explained his perspective on the matter. He particularly highlighted the success he had in the postseason without winning the SEC Championship.

“You play football to play the game. Like, you play football to win your conference,” Smart said postgame after winning the SEC title. “You’re asking the wrong person about it because I’ve had almost as many national championships as SEC championships.

“I had years where I won the SEC without winning the Natty, and then years where I won the Natty without winning the SEC. They are really hard to get. I don’t know. I think it’s going to be interesting, the direction of college football because I hate to say it, but I didn’t think going into the game that the game had the same appeal, not that it had the same atmosphere as I. I’ve seen it before.”

For the College Football Playoff, the most important aspect of the game is that the SEC champion receives a first-round bye to the playoffs. Georgia will have that luxury this season, while Texas will be forced to play in the first round, and whether or not they will play a playoff game is uncertain before the final rankings are announced.

Depending on how the seasons unfold going forward, a loss in the SEC title game could be the difference between making the playoffs and being eliminated. That was the case in the Big 12 this season. However, Smart believes his team can compete against any team that is put in its path.

“The games played at this conference championship venue are incredible,” Smart continued. “I just don’t see how people are devaluing it compared to a playoff. I value SEC championships.

“I really appreciate it because the work that goes into it is incredible.”