SEC's move to 9-game conference schedules pauses some rivalries and awakens others
The change aims to strengthen schedules for the 12-team playoff era and brings back several high-profile nonconference matchups.
- The Southeastern Conference is introducing a nine-game league schedule this season to boost strength of schedule for the 12-team College Football Playoff field, Commissioner Greg Sankey stated.
- Expansion has eliminated traditional divisions, leading the SEC to mandate that each school plays three "annual" foes through 2029; the league has grown from 10 teams to 16.
- While historic games like Florida-Tennessee and Florida-LSU are paused, the "Lone Star Shootout" and Arkansas-Texas rivalry return as annual affairs, reshaping the conference landscape.
- Georgia coach Kirby Smart addressed schedule adjustments on Tuesday, emphasizing respect for opposing staffs, while Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz noted he remains focused on performance regardless of changes.
- The SEC plans to revisit and realign annual opponents before the 2030 season to maintain competitive balance, though officials acknowledge the future landscape of college football remains uncertain.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Associated Press News
SEC's move to 9-game conference schedules pauses some rivalries and awakens others
Some of the Southeastern Conference's longest rivalries are on hiatus. The league is introducing a nine-game conference slate in an attempt to boost strength of schedule for what is now a playoff system that has a committee awarding seven at-large spots in the 12-team field.
Washington Top News
SEC’s move to 9-game conference schedules pauses some rivalries and awakens others
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The SEC’s nine-game schedule may not provide its intended CFP boost
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Greg Sankey says CFP selection committee 'has to respect the difference' of a 9-game SEC schedule
Earlier this offseason SEC coaches expressed their frustration with the league’s decision to expand to a 9-game conference schedule, despite the fact their schools voted on the change. While this may sound inconsistent, it’s definitely a fair gripe. The coaches felt misled, working under the belief that College Football Playoff expansion to 16 or 24 teams was imminent. Instead, the Playoff remains at 12 teams for the 2026 season. The scheduling …
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