Overview
- Week 3 features LSU at Ole Miss on Sept. 19, marking Lane Kiffin’s first trip back to Oxford since taking the LSU job.
- Georgia visits Alabama on Oct. 10, while the Tide open league play unusually early at Kentucky on Sept. 12.
- Each program now plays nine league games with three protected annual opponents, with the other six rotating to ensure every matchup at least once every two years.
- Schools must schedule at least one nonconference opponent from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 or Notre Dame each season.
- The 35th SEC title game is set for Dec. 5, 2026, in Atlanta, as the expanded slate grows conference matchups to 72 and alternates four or five league home games by year.