(BCSNN) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey reaffirmed his support for a nine-game conference football schedule this week, as league officials face mounting pressure to finalize plans for the 2026 season ahead of a looming Nov. 30 deadline tied to the College Football Playoff’s next television contract. The proposal, long debated within SEC circles, has gained renewed urgency amid playoff expansion talks and shifting expectations around strength of schedule.
Speaking at SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Sankey said the league is “working toward” a decision and emphasized that a nine-game slate would “promote great interest through the year,” though he acknowledged the coaching challenges it presents. “We’re not lacking for quality competition among our 16 football teams,” Sankey said. “But we’re going to continue to evaluate whether increasing the number of conference football games is appropriate for us”.
The SEC currently plays eight conference games, a format in place since 1992. While Sankey defended the rigor of the league’s scheduling — noting that all 16 teams played at least nine games against power opponents last season — critics argue that the SEC’s model provides an unfair advantage compared to the Big Ten and Big 12, which each play nine conference games.
Proponents of the nine-game format cite several benefits, including enhanced television value, preservation of secondary rivalries, and improved playoff resumes. Sankey has reportedly received signals from ESPN that the network may increase rights fees if the SEC adds a ninth game, potentially offsetting the loss of a home game every other season.
However, concerns persist among athletic directors and coaches. A ninth conference game could make bowl eligibility more difficult for mid-tier programs and reduce scheduling flexibility for marquee non-conference matchups. Some also worry that the added game could lead to more late-season losses, jeopardizing playoff bids in a competitive landscape.
The debate is further complicated by the SEC’s role in shaping the future of the College Football Playoff. Under a memorandum of understanding signed last year, the SEC and Big Ten hold outsized influence over the playoff format. The Big Ten has indicated it will not support the SEC’s preferred “5+11” model — five automatic bids and 11 at-large — unless the SEC moves to a nine-game schedule.
Sankey has remained noncommittal on the playoff structure, saying the current 12-team format could remain in place if no agreement is reached. “There’s actually a ’26 format. It’s 12 teams and five conference champions,” Sankey said. “We can change it if we change it by that date, but that’s the only date that I know exists”.
With the clock ticking toward the Nov. 30 deadline, the SEC’s decision on its scheduling format could have ripple effects across college football. Whether the league opts for tradition or transformation, the outcome will shape not only its own postseason prospects but also the broader architecture of the sport’s championship system.
