Starting in 2014, the Big 12 and the SEC will have an annual New Year's Day bowl game between conference regular-season champions. The move appears to be in preparation for the four-team playoff.

"Our goal is to provide the fans across the country with a New Year's Day prime-time tradition," current Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas said. "This is a landmark agreement between two of the most successful football conferences during the BCS era to stage a postseason event. The creation of this game featuring the champions of the Big 12 and SEC will have tremendous resonance in college football."

If the top team from either conference is selected for the playoff, another team will be chosen to represent their conference in the game.

Further details regarding the matchup will be announced at a later time.

"A new January bowl tradition is born," stated SEC commissioner Mike Slive. "This new game will provide a great matchup between the two most successful conferences in the BCS era and will complement the exciting postseason atmosphere created by the new four-team model.

The SEC and Big 12 have each had a top-four team in the final rankings in 11 of the last 14 season. The two conferences are tied for the most final top-four rankings of any league.

The move will also help to solidify the Big 12 after two years of constant realignment.

"This is another example of the strength and stability of the Big 12 Conference," Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said in a statement. "In the last month alone we have introduced this game and a new commissioner that is absolutely right for this league. In addition, we are in the process of formulating one of the top TV deals in college sports. The Big 12 is strong, stable and united."

The new tradition could pit former Big 12 school Texas A&M against the University of Texas, giving life to the now deceased matchup.

Information from ESPN.com contributed to this report