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Lane Kiffin suggests SEC coaches reconsidering 9-game conference slate amid CFP concerns

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•11/20/24•

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NCAA Football: Georgia at Mississippi
Nov 9, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin watches during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

SEC scheduling decisions are a year-round topic, even with two games remaining in the season. How the conference fares in the number of College Football Playoff participants will certainly play a role whether or not eight games or nine games are being played. Setting the SEC up for success appears to be priority No. 1.

Coaches, such as Lane Kiffin, previously might have been in favor of going to nine games. However, this season might have them reconsidering due to tough schedules. Kiffin knows playing through the SEC is a grind and adding another game, a potential loss to weaken the resume, may not appeal to coaches anymore.

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“From the ones I talk to, I think that (they would like to remain at eight SEC games),” Kiffin said. “I think that’s changed, maybe, years ago people were okay with it, going to nine. But I think because of the playoffs and knocking each other out and seeing how these other conferences, seeing who they get to play — I think most coaches would feel that way about staying at eight.”

A team like Georgia might be the best example of why Kiffin feels the way he does. Half of their SEC games have come against potential CFP participants, three of which were on the road. Kirby Smart led his team to a 2-2 record in those and, despite having ESPN’s No. 1 rated strength of schedule, are just inside the projected 12-team field at the moment.

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Adding another conference game would only make the schedule more difficult.

If the SEC does decide to go with a nine-game slate, the change would not come into effect until the 2026 season. Next year will see teams have the exact same opponents with the venues just flipped. The goal was to always see how the expanded College Football Playoff impacted the future.

Commissioner Greg Sankey will certainly continue the discussion with coaches and athletic directors once the season is over and results have been produced. Kiffin believes opinions have changed and the scheduling format may remain the same.