SEC Plans Preserve Auburn-Georgia, Alabama-Tennessee Rivalries in 8-Game Schedule

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is currently debating whether to maintain an eight-game conference football schedule or move to a nine-game schedule starting in 2026. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey emphasized that even if the conference sticks with an eight-game schedule, key rivalries such as Auburn-Georgia (Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry), Alabama-Tennessee (Third Saturday in October), and Texas-Texas A&M could still be preserved through various scheduling models. These rivalries have been protected in recent years despite the eight-game format, and the conference aims to continue accommodating them to satisfy fanbases and traditions. However, preserving multiple annual rivalries under an eight-game schedule could reduce conference-wide familiarity and the frequency of teams playing every other member. The decision will also be influenced by the anticipated expansion of the College Football Playoff to 16 teams, which adds pressure for the SEC to align its scheduling accordingly. While no final commitment has been made, the SEC remains committed to balancing tradition with competitive fairness amid its evolving membership and scheduling challenges.