SEC’s Change to Nine Conference Games Discussed

For many years, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) benefited from playing fewer conference games compared to other leagues. The Pac-12 and Big Ten played nine conference games, whereas the SEC only played eight. This allowed SEC teams to schedule four non-conference games, often choosing opponents that ensured victories before entering conference play.

An example is the 2025 Missouri Tigers. They scheduled Central Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, and Massachusetts as non-conference opponents. These matches offered Missouri straightforward wins, setting a favorable tone before facing their SEC rivals.

The Missouri Tigers managed only four wins in their conference clashes. They defeated South Carolina 29-20, Auburn 23-17 in double overtime, Mississippi State 49-27, and Arkansas 31-17. Despite limited success against strong conference opponents, their record helped them stay in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 poll, indirectly enhancing the profiles of other teams they faced during the season.

Though their 8-4 finish seemed strong at face value, critics argued that without the scheduled non-conference wins, the picture would have been very different. The SEC’s decision to move to nine conference games in 2026 put an end to this advantage.

LSU Tigers’ new head coach, Lane Kiffin, has already made headlines for comments about the SEC’s scheduling change. Ahead of a clash with Texas A&M, Kiffin sarcastically mentioned the scheduling complexity, complaining about repeated matches and the impact of fewer easily winnable games. He voiced concerns about injuries, citing star players like Whit Wheeks and Trey’Dez Green as affected. Kiffin argued that other conferences don’t face the same level of strain due to their scheduling practices.

Despite the changes, Kiffin’s stance met skepticism. Critics note that the LSU team has only played two conference games so far. Furthermore, LSU’s travel schedule pales compared to other teams like USC and UCLA, which travel thousands of miles for games, an aspect Kiffin did not address. While he might appeal to certain SEC supporters, his views don’t account for all realities faced by teams like USC or UCLA.

Moving forward, discussions about scheduling and its impacts will likely continue, as many await to see the long-term effects of the SEC’s shift to nine conference games.