The inevitable has finally happened in the Southeastern Conference. A nine-game schedule is here, the league announced on Thursday. The move comes after the SEC expanded to 16 teams by adding Oklahoma and Texas. A patch-worked eight-game schedule was put in place for two seasons until a final decision could be made, which came this week.
The nine-game model will begin in 2026. Each school will have three protected rivalry games, which immediately opens up the debate. Not everyone will be happy and certain games won’t be played every year. In Tennessee’s case, Alabama and Vanderbilt are locks. However, that leaves one spot for Kentucky, Florida or Georgia, meaning two of those traditional matchups won’t be played on a yearly basis.
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“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”
The conference will continue without divisions, putting the top two teams in the league against each other in Atlanta in the SEC title game in December. The announcement states that each school will face each other at least one time every two years. They will see every opponent both home and away every four years.
The SEC will continue to require all members to face at least one Power Four opponent in non-conference play.
So, let the debate begin — who will be Tennessee’s third protected opponent?
