After years of deliberation, the SEC has announced it is moving to a nine-game conference schedule, aligning with the Big Ten and Big 12's formats.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southeastern Conference (SEC) today announced it will implement a nine-game football schedule beginning in 2026, reinforcing the SEC’s position as the nation’s leader in competitive excellence and fan excitement.

We don't know who the three permanent opponents will be as OU football and the SEC move to nine conference games. But we do know who this move benefits.

The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026. Here's what it means for Alabama football.

Memphis football's 2026 game against Arkansas is getting a new date. The game is moving to 2030, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said on Sept. 4. That allows the Razorbacks to comply with the SEC's nine game conference schedule that will start in 2026.

No conference compares to the SEC when it comes to strength of schedule, according to commissioner Greg Sankey, who has said multiple times this summer he expects his league to be well-represented in the College Football Playoff this season.

The Tennessee Volunteers are slated for an SEC showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend as the two programs converge on Neyland Stadium to begin their conference play. This will be the 55th matchup between these two historic programs in a series that the Bulldogs lead 29-23-2.

It hasn't been a banner start for the SEC as a whole, but two of the conference's signal-callers have impressed in some big wins.