SEC Announces Conference Schedule Changes

 On Thursday, the Southeastern Conference announced that the league would be switching from an eight-game conference schedule to a nine-game conference schedule, a change that will begin in 2026.

According to a release from the conference, the change came after many SEC athletic directors recommended the change, which prompted presidents and chancellors from the SEC to approve the decision and enforce the change.

A little over a year ago, the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma were added to the SEC, which prompted a change in which the conference eliminated the east and west divisions, meaning the two teams with the best conference record at the end of each season would be the teams to compete in the SEC Championship game.

The addition of a conference game to the schedule means that every SEC school will only have three nonconference opponents. However, in order to combat the scheduling of inferior opponents, the league is mandating that one of three nonconference games will have to be scheduled against a Big 10, Big 12, or ACC team, or Notre Dame.

The league will also ensure that traditions and rivalries are maintained by having each school face the same three teams every year. For example, Texas will likely end up playing Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Arkansas every year.

The SEC also added that each team’s six other games will rotate among the remaining conference opponents, meaning that each team will face every other SEC team at least once every two years. This means new competition for Texas.

For now, Texas will surely face Oklahoma at a neutral site every year, while the SEC figures out the two other annual opponents for the Longhorns. So this means that Texas will have four home and four away games against SEC opponents every year.

The Longhorns satisfied the SEC’s requirements long before they came along, though. Texas already faces Ohio State this year, but will also face them next year at home. The year after, in 2027, Texas will finally get its chance to beat Michigan again when the Wolverines travel to Austin. The Longhorns then begin a home-and-home with Notre Dame in 2028 in South Bend.

Here’s what SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had to say:

“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation. 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 SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics. Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.”