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Greg Sankey stresses importance of the SEC's long term scheduling relationship with Notre Dame

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax06/15/25BarkleyTruax
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Greg Sankey has been Southeastern Conference commissioner for eight years. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Notre Dame football’s unattached conference affiliation allows them to work alongside some of the top programs in the country each season. They typically will have a multitude of Power Four opponents on their schedule each year.

In 2025, this includes two teams from the SEC — Texas A&M and Arkansas. Conference commissioner Greg Sankey explained why having a healthy relationship with the Fighting Irish, who are coming off a College Football Playoff championship appearance, has become so important to the SEC.

“What’s really great for us, is the interaction between the SEC and Notre Dame, for nonconference scheduling for us and their schedule, we actually have two games this year, one at Arkansas, involving Notre Dame, and then Texas A&M returning last year’s game will be in South Bend,” Sankey said on Golic and Golic on Friday on the FanDuel Sports Network. “You think back to the games with Georgia just a few years ago.

“… I value that competition, and I value the fact that we have these regular season opportunities with Notre Dame. I attended that Georgia game back in 2018, I think it was, and just really special. My first experience at a football game in South Bend, and hopefully we’ll see more of those games.”

The Fighting Irish are 38-18 all-time against the SEC, including a 7-5 record against the conference in bowl games. However, 10 of those games are against Georgia Tech — who left the conference in 1964. Six more are against Tulane.

Most recently, Notre Dame defeated Texas A&M 23-13 in College Station during the season opener last year. It was the first meeting between the two programs since the Aggies moved to the SEC in 2012.

Notably, Notre Dame holds a 5-3 record over Alabama and are 7-5 all-time against LSU. The Irish holds at least a .500 record against all SEC opponents except for Georgia, who they a 1-3 against. Meanwhile, this fall’s meeting between the Irish and Razorbacks will be a first-time ever matchup.

The Week 3 matchup on Sept. 13 against Texas A&M will serve as Notre Dame’s home opener during the 2025 season. After hosting Purdue the next weekend, they’ll head to Fayetteville on Sept. 27 to take on Arkansas. In total, Notre Dame will play 10 Power Four conference opponents, as well as Boise State coming off their own appearance in the CFP. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the SEC continue to occupy at least a couple of those slots in the coming years.