SEC athletic directors are moving closer to adopting a nine-game conference football schedule, sources told CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. The development comes as the College Football Playoff will implement new metrics in 2025 that place greater emphasis on strength of schedule, a change that could benefit SEC teams.
The proposed expansion would mark a major shift for the SEC, which has traditionally played eight conference games per season. Conference presidents are expected to meet soon to make a final decision, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. The league has debated the idea for more than four years, but renewed television revenue and potential advantages in playoff positioning have reinvigorated discussions.
Under the proposed nine-game format, each SEC team would play three permanent conference opponents and rotate through six others each season, per Dellenger.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey addressed the scheduling debate during SEC Media Days in July. He did not confirm whether the conference would implement a nine-game slate in 2026, but emphasized the league’s existing rigor.
“It’s absolutely, fully and 100% correct that we play eight conference games, while others play nine conference games,” Sankey said. “It’s also correct that last season, all 16 (of our) members played at least nine games against, what you would label, power opponents. … I handed out a bunch of stats that created a stir in Destin (at SEC spring meetings) that showed there’s a rigor here that is unique.”
Sankey added at the time that a decision must come soon if the SEC moves to nine games, though he did not provide a timeline for releasing the 2026 schedule.
Potential ripple effects if SEC adopts nine-game schedule
If the SEC approves a…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sec-moves-closer-to-adopting-nine-game-conference-slate-as-cfp-metrics-shift-emphasis-on-schedule-strength/
Author : Cody Nagel
Publish date : 2025-08-21 18:57:00
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