Particle.news
Download on the App Store
14 ARTICLES
·
11h ago

SEC Delays 2026 Conference Schedule Vote as 16-Team Playoff Format Remains Unsettled

Uncertainty over automatic qualifier rules alongside at-large selection criteria has stalled a decision on the SEC’s 2026 conference schedule

Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin waves to fans after his team's defeat of Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2022.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel on Oct. 16, 2024.
Image
Image

Overview

  • SEC leaders postponed a vote on moving from eight to nine league games for 2026 while they await a final plan for expanding the playoff field to 16 teams.
  • Conference coaches have expressed support for a 5+11 model that awards five automatic bids and 11 at-large spots, while some athletic directors back a preassigned auto-bid structure.
  • SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has championed a merit-based format and rejected proposals viewed as politically driven compromises.
  • The SEC and Big Ten remain the dominant voices shaping the College Football Playoff, with a definitive format expected by year’s end.
  • Discussions on the playoff’s structure are directly tied to nonconference scheduling strategies and future revenue distribution across SEC programs.