SEC commissioner Greg Sankey explains decision to implement 8-game conference schedule in 2024

As the SEC prepares to expand to 16 teams in 2024, the question remained what the schedule would look like. The league could’ve gone with a nine-game slate, but ultimately decided to stick with an eight-game schedule — for now — and eliminate divisions next season.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed that decision Thursday evening at the league’s spring meetings, saying the conference will do away with divisions and go with an eight-game slate in 2024. Next year, the conference will discuss other options for long-term scheduling.

For now, though, Sankey said this was the right decision as Oklahoma and Texas prepare to enter the league one year earlier than originally planned. That expedited timeline played a role in keeping things status quo with an eight-game schedule, he explained in a statement.

“We have been engaged in planing for the entry of Oklahoma and Texas into the SEC since the summer of 2021, but the change of the membership date from 2025 to 2024 creates scheduling complexities that can better be managed with a one-year schedule,” Sankey said. “Creating a one-year schedule will provide a longer on-ramp to manage football scheduling around existing non-conference commitments of our members. It will also provide additional time to understand the impact of an expanded College Football Playoff and engage with our media partners as we determine the appropriate long-term plan for SEC football scheduling.

“During this time of change, our fans will continue to enjoy traditional rivalries and begin to see new matchups presented by the addition of two historically successful football programs to the SEC.”

The schedule format was approved by a vote of league presidents and chancellors following a recommendation from the league’s Athletics Directors during the spring meetings. According to Brett McMurphy of The Action Network, the eight-game schedule will be determined based on “expectation of fairness and balance,” while also honoring traditional rivalries.

As part of the eight-game plan, teams will be required to play one Power 5 non-conference opponent. Additionally, with divisions going away, the SEC Championship will now be played between the two teams with the best conference records.

The full 2024 SEC schedule will be unveiled with a schedule release show in prime time on June 14 on the SEC Network. Each school will learn their opponents for that season with kickoff times and TV designations coming at a later date.

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report.