SEC Drops a Bomb: 9-Game Conference Schedule Coming in 2026

The SEC has done it—starting in 2026, the league will expand to a 9-game conference schedule, changing the way we look at rivalries, playoff selection, and program expectations. Ike and Dustin dive into: Why the SEC made this move and whether the Big Ten/ACC forced their hand. How the change impacts the College Football Playoff expansion and seeding. What this means for Group of Five/FCS programs losing critical “buy games.” The new pressure this puts on SEC coaches—is 7–5 the new 9–3? Permanent rivalries: who keeps tradition, and who gets left out? Will the SEC Championship Game lose value in this new era? ⚡ Final thought: More SEC football sounds great—but is this really good for the sport as a whole? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices