Greg Sankey Doubles-Down On Desire For A Nine-Game SEC Schedule

quote:

---

Sankey said the conference has been discussing a nine-game league schedule since the Clinton administration, but a decision could finally come in the ensuing weeks or months.

"I think we should be working towards that," Sankey said in a wide-ranging interview with ESPN at SEC media days. "My life doesn't end if we don't. There's this absolutist notion that he's going to dictate what's going to happen. I think we should have an adult conversation. We should be able to make a decision. I think nine games would promote great interest through the year, but it would be hard to coach. I've had candid conversations with coaches. I've told them that."

The SEC's future schedule is tied to the playoff discussions as CFP leaders continue to debate the best format for 2026 and beyond. The SEC has indicated a preference for a 16-team model that would include the five highest-ranked conference champions and 11 at-large teams -- a format that has gained traction but still lacks support from the Big Ten, which is pushing for automatic qualifiers and play-in games. Multiple sources in that conference have said they won't consider the 5+11 format unless the SEC and ACC move to a nine-game league schedule. The Big Ten and SEC have the bulk of control over the future format, according to a memorandum of understanding signed by the FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua.

---