SEC adopts nine-game conference slate starting in 2026 as CFP metrics shift emphasis on schedule strength

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has announced the adoption of a nine-game conference slate starting in 2026. This decision follows the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee's update to its metrics, which has placed greater emphasis on schedule strength. The new SEC schedule will require each team to play nine conference games, up from the current eight-game format. This change aims to enhance the strength of the conference's overall schedule, which is expected to benefit teams in the CFP selection process. The shift in the CFP's metrics has placed more importance on the quality of a team's schedule, putting greater emphasis on playing stronger opponents. The SEC's move to a nine-game conference slate is seen as a strategic response to these updated criteria, ensuring that SEC teams have a more challenging slate of games to bolster their CFP resumes. This decision is expected to have significant implications for the conference's teams and their path to the CFP, as they will now face tougher competition within the SEC on an annual basis.