SEC Going To Nine Conference Games Starting In 2026

[largebluej]

Also must play at least one P4 opponent (or Notre Dame). So we will probably keep playing the dirty birds annually. Hope we get a good draw on our three regular league opponents, but Im not optimistic.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46042216/sec-go-9-game-conference-schedule-starting-2026

[Jaxcat]

The three annual opponents: UT, Vandy, Georgia? Maybe FL.

Teams like UK (FL, USC, GA) who have in-state rivalries that are tough matchups (Tech usually gives the Dawgs all they want) are kind of at a disadvantage in that we won't be able to schedule 3 OOC wins every year. For some teams it might be difficult to limit it to 3 and others to get to 3.

UK's task just got more difficult.

[KYWILDCAT41035]

So I guess the UL games stays on the schedule? Or do we replace another opponent on the schedule?

[Los Gatos]

The three annual opponents: UT, Vandy, Georgia? Maybe FL.

Teams like UK (FL, USC, GA) who have in-state rivalries that are tough matchups (Tech usually gives the Dawgs all they want) are kind of at a disadvantage in that we won't be able to schedule 3 OOC wins every year. For some teams it might be difficult to limit it to 3 and others to get to 3.

UK's task just got more difficult.

Yep, so much for the fourth non conference game UK added a week ago or so. Last time this was kicked around So Carolina was projected as one of our permanent three. I don't expect UK to have much of a say in who our three will be. The big football schools/games will be picked and we will get what is left over. And I don't expect to see aTm in Lexington until 2029 now.

[Catsrock]

Wouldn’t surprise me a bit to see UL replaced by a UCF, Rutgers, Wake Forest level opponent if Brohm continues to elevate UL. Going to be rough sledding around Lexington unless new donors open the checkbooks.

[Matt Dillon]

To be quite honest, it doesn't bother me at all. With the proliferation of bowl games, and a 12 game schedule, a team like Ky. could schedule 3 cupcakes and then if two or three of the SEC opponents and/or UofL happened to be down you were almost guaranteed a bowl game. Oh, and add in the fact that if there wasn't enough teams with 6 wins the bowls could take teams with a losing record.

[Jaxcat]

Yep, so much for the fourth non conference game UK added a week ago or so. Last time this was kicked around So Carolina was projected as one of our permanent three. I don't expect UK to have much of a say in who our three will be. The big football schools/games will be picked and we will get what is left over. And I don't expect to see aTm in Lexington until 2029 now.

I remember thinking, 'South Carolina? Why?' Certainly we've played UT, VU, FL and Georgia a ton more than USC. Maybe grouping teams in tiers? But, that's not exactly fair to Georgia if their 3 are FL, Auburn and AL, for example.

Basically, the West teams will have 3 permanent opponents from the West, for the most part, right? The newer teams (OK, AR, TX, MO, A&M) have longer histories among themselves from SW and old Big 8 days. So, we'll play OK every 10-12 years? How is that a conference?

I've thought conference expansion was going overboard and I think I'm right. How are you in the same conference with teams who you so rarely ever play?

[bigblue4life]

I remember thinking, 'South Carolina? Why?' Certainly we've played UT, VU, FL and Georgia a ton more than USC. Maybe grouping teams in tiers? But, that's not exactly fair to Georgia if their 3 are FL, Auburn and AL, for example.

Basically, the West teams will have 3 permanent opponents from the West, for the most part, right? The newer teams (OK, AR, TX, MO, A&M) have longer histories among themselves from SW and old Big 8 days. So, we'll play OK every 10-12 years? How is that a conference?

I've thought conference expansion was going overboard and I think I'm right. How are you in the same conference with teams who you so rarely ever play?

Here's a link from ESPN on the schedule change:

SEC to go with 9-game conference schedule starting in 2026 - ESPN

From the link:

"Under the new format, the SEC will continue to play without divisions. Each school will play three annual opponents focused on maintaining traditional rivalries, and the remaining six games will rotate among the rest of the league opponents.

Each team will face every other SEC program at least once every two years and every opponent home and away over four years."

I liked the SEC when it was only 10-12 teams but that ship sailed long ago. I'm actually OK with the 9-game conference schedule. It will be a more attractive home schedule. So be it.
?

[Majoga]

Stoops gonna need to double the tenderizer on his steaks.

[Simple_Man]

Unless a miracle of some sorts happens, Kentucky football will be that much worse.I don't see the program getting much better,I hope that I am wrong.

[Burly Peters]

We'll probably get Tennessee, Georgia and Florida while Mizzou gets Vandy three times. I swear we get the shaft from the SEC front office in every sport. I hate this conference.

[Jaxcat]

Here's a link from ESPN on the schedule change:

SEC to go with 9-game conference schedule starting in 2026 - ESPN

From the link:

"Under the new format, the SEC will continue to play without divisions. Each school will play three annual opponents focused on maintaining traditional rivalries, and the remaining six games will rotate among the rest of the league opponents.

Each team will face every other SEC program at least once every two years and every opponent home and away over four years."

I liked the SEC when it was only 10-12 teams but that ship sailed long ago. I'm actually OK with the 9-game conference schedule. It will be a more attractive home schedule. So be it.
?

I hadn't see that - thanks for the info. That makes me feel a bit better as we'd play our permanent 3 and 6 others, followed by the perm 3 and the OTHER 6 teams and rotate them h/a. At least it wouldn't take a decade to play, let's say, Arkansas. For a 2nd tier team like UK, depending on the year, we could end up playing the top 6+ in the conference one year (and, I guess, the bottom 6 would be a possibility, also). Let's say GA and FL are permanent opponents and both really good. That same year we could play LSU, Bama, TX, A&M and OK who may all be rated in the top 15. Talk about your Murderer's Row.

[Matt Dillon]

This could very well return us to the days when we were lucky to win three or four games.

[Sjslhill]

We'll probably get Tennessee, Georgia and Florida while Mizzou gets Vandy three times. I swear we get the shaft from the SEC front office in every sport. I hate this conference.

Thanks because we are good in BB and get punished.

[Sjslhill]

Well, UK just added another loss to the schedule. It’s getting laughable. It’s really not Stoops fault, NIL changed the game completely. BB will get the money it needs, you can bet on that. FCS and NAIA is looking better as a fan. EKU, Union or Cumberland. Tickets will be a fraction of costs. I can’t image paying that blue/ white fee for a constant losing program.