SEC could finally shift to 9-game schedule model in 2026

The College Football Playoff is shifting into a 12-team model in 2024. That has created a ton of buzz for the upcoming season. But that change could be short-lived. There is an expiring contract coming in 2026 and from there the expectation is that the sport’s postseason tournament will shift to 14 teams. That move is creating more momentum for a popular offseason talking point.

After failing to get conference members on board last offseason with a nine-game conference mode with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas coming in 2024, the momentum could now be there for Commissioner Greg Sankey. The SEC agreed to a temporary eight-game model that was locked in for 2024 and 2025 with the same opponents for each program in a home-and-home setup, but minds are now changing according to the latest report from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.

“Those programs at first against adding a ninth conference game are more interested now in doing so, according to multiple administrators at conference schools — a way to enhance schedules with bigger matchups and generate more cash through ticket sales as well as the television contract with ESPN,” Dellenger wrote.

Kentucky was one of those schools. The move could now make sense for more schools due to revenue-sharing likely arriving in 2025 thanks to the House v. NCAA settlement. The league would be expected to lock-in a 3-6-6 scheduling model with three permanent opponents and the remaining 12 SEC programs appearing on the schedule every other year. The sell for the conference could be easier with the College Football Playoff expanding to 14 teams.

More change is coming to college football. The move to nine conference games seems inevitable for the SEC. That move could force Kentucky to consider canceling the Governor’s Cup series with Louisville.

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