9 SEC games, starting in 2026

[dieseldaddy]

Historically, Florida was Auburn's biggest rivals were Bama, UGA, and UF. Before expansion mucked everything up, Auburn was easily UF's biggest rival after UGA and FSU.

And really, if you're rotating the other six every other year, who cares how tough your permanents are? You're going to level off.

I for one would love to watch the lizards and auburn impale each other every year. No bais

 

[Glocker_Alum_2005]

The Big 10 is doing it with 18, which should be more difficult. It's really not that complicated.

This will break the APSUs and Mercers

 

[zjcvols]

This will break the APSUs and Mercers

It's such an easy solution. I don't understand how they cannot be a preseason game. ESPN would pay for SEC preseason football. The coaches would like it to have a game that doesn't count for redshirt and do some scouting in live action. The fans would like it. The FCS schools need it for the money. You'd make up the cost to pay them with tickets and concessions. Just makes too much sense.

 

[Volnanza]

It should be Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and Alabama if they are truly protecting traditional rivals.

Some people may say Florida and Georgia are traditional but those didn't really become rivals until the division split in 1992. Ole Miss and Auburn are both more traditional rivals than either Florida and Georgia. I think Vols have still played Ole Miss and Auburn more times than Florida or Georgia despite playing them 30+ years straight.

We used to almost never play Georgia or Florida. They are not traditional opponents. We only started playing them when the conference added SC and Ark then split into 2 divisions. Before that, we would occasionally play one in a bowl game.

 

[Volnanza]

This will certainly help eliminate SEC teams from the playoffs. That's what the B10 wanted.

 

[bigdaddy]

Love it now get rid of playing UTC type teams. Only D1 teams

 

[HooahVol]

Bama, Vandy, and Kentucky has to be our annual opponents you would think. That means no more annual Florida or Georgia sadly

I love the fact we Tennessee fans deny Vandy is a rival until these permanent games get discussed. Suddenly you think the in state rivalry is the most important game of the season. Playing that 3D chess.

 

[Vol865]

"or play better" how has that worked out the last 20 years?

So is how it worked out our fault or someone else's?

 

[bigdaddy]

I haven’t looked but would bama get AU, LSU, and us

 

[Other_Guy]

I haven’t looked but would bama get AU, LSU, and us

It's time they get beat down into oblivion with a tough schedule every year.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

So is how it worked out our fault or someone else's?

it's both our fault and a product of a brutal sec schedule that made it way worse than it could have been

 

[Volinnooga]

If they choose UF, then they really are denying UFs traditional rivals. UGA, LSU and Auburn

I am just not convinced LSU and Auburn are perceived to be true Florida rivals. Because TN and FLA were so dominant in the SEC East for many years, many will argue that is a bigger rivalry.

 

[Vol865]

it's both our fault and a product of a brutal sec schedule that made it way worse than it could have been

Well regardless of who the 3 games are, there's no running from a tough schedule anymore

 

[Volinnooga]

We used to almost never play Georgia or Florida. They are not traditional opponents. We only started playing them when the conference added SC and Ark then split into 2 divisions. Before that, we would occasionally play one in a bowl game.

The split was, I think, 1992. I think 33 years is long enough to establish a tradition.

 

[Rickyvol77]

Don't understand why that should matter unless the thought is to make sure certain teams get easier schedules.

Sankey is waiting to see if the NC and VA schools come on board in four years

 

[onevol74]

This will certainly help eliminate SEC teams from the playoffs. That's what the B10 wanted.

If you are making the playoffs by playing OVC and other small programs then you really do not belong in the playoffs any way. I think the B1G was right in forcing the SEC to stop raping their fans by charging premium prices for substandard competition.

 

[Big Orange Captain]

Sankey is waiting to see if the NC and VA schools come on board in four years

Yep i agree . I hate it but i think the SEC will
expand again and get to 20 teams

 

[zjcvols]

Sankey is waiting to see if the NC and VA schools come on board in four years

The question will be if they take 2 or 4.

 

[Rickyvol77]

The question will be if they take 2 or 4.

They will get to 20 because the Big Ten will get to 20...

plus itll be easier to get UNC and UVA by taking NC State and Va Tech

 

[Power_Sweep_Vol]

Sankey is waiting to see if the NC and VA schools come on board in four years

That’s not happening…those schools aren’t gonna increase the pie more than they’d decrease the payout by dividing among more teams, simple as that

 

[Rickyvol77]

That’s not happening…those schools aren’t gonna increase the pie more than they’d decrease the payout by dividing among more teams, simple as that

Might want to check your sources. It's 100% happening.. Big Ten and SEC are going to 20 teams, maybe even 24

 

[Power_Sweep_Vol]

Might want to check your sources. It's 100% happening.. Big Ten and SEC are going to 20 teams, maybe even 24

Nope..they’re not going to end the rivalries like TSIO

 

[PACKERVOL]

So little Tony stomped, cried, and held his breath just long enough to get his way.

 

[adam.vol]

Sankey bent the knee.

How much is Big 10 paying Sankey to prop them up?

 

[Rickyvol77]

Nope..they’re not going to end the rivalries like TSIO

They will split the conference in two divisions

if 20:

East:
Tennessee
Vanderbilt
Kentucky
Florida
Georgia
South Carolina
North Carolina
NC State
Virginia
Virginia Tech

West:
Texas
Texas A&M
Oklahoma
Missouri
Arkansas
LSU
Ole Miss
Mississippi St
Alabama
Auburn


if 24:

East:
Tennessee
Kentucky
Florida
Georgia
Georgia Tech
South Carolina
North Carolina
NC State
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Clemson
Duke

West:
Texas
Texas A&M
Oklahoma
Missouri
Arkansas
LSU
Ole Miss
Mississippi St
Alabama
Auburn
Kansas
Vanderbilt