SEC Nears 9-Game Football Schedule Amid CFP Metrics Shift

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is moving closer to adopting a nine-game conference football schedule, a significant change from its traditional eight-game format, driven by new College Football Playoff (CFP) metrics emphasizing strength of schedule and potential increased media revenue. Under the proposed schedule, each team would play three permanent conference opponents and rotate through six others annually, with schedules cycling every four years to allow for reevaluation of rivalries. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey acknowledged the ongoing debate and the conference's current schedule rigor but indicated that a decision is imminent, with presidents expected to meet soon to finalize the move. The ACC is likely to follow the SEC's lead if the nine-game schedule is adopted, aligning all Power Four conferences with nine-game slates and potentially simplifying CFP selection processes. This shift also intersects with broader CFP format discussions, as conferences negotiate playoff expansion and automatic bid allocations. Financial incentives from media partners such as ESPN and competitive balance considerations have reinvigorated the dialogue around expanding the SEC schedule.