SEC announces multiple changes to 2022 football schedule

The SEC announced multiple changes to the 2022 football schedule on Thursday afternoon, including a time change for a historic rivalry. With three changes in total, the teams impacted include Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, along with some of their non-conference opponents.

The biggest change to the schedule, and only SEC football matchup impacted, is Missouri’s home game against Arkansas on Nov. 25. That game will now kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET between rivals on CBS Sports.

During the opening week of the college football season, Missouri’s season opener against Louisiana Tech will move to Thursday night on Sept. 1 after originally being slated for that Saturday on Sept. 3. In addition, Tennessee will play Ball State on the same Thursday night after originally scheduling the game for Saturday.

The Missouri game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU and Tennessee will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Greg Sankey on SEC scheduling

Greg Sankey is always thinking about what’s best for the Southeastern Conference. In an previous appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show, Sankey shared his thoughts on restructuring the SEC schedule, as well as conference games.

“I think we need to engage, from an SEC perspective, in a full analysis of an arrange of scheduling options,” stated Sankey. “And we’re in that process. Looking to bring that to conclusion in May, early June. Around our annual meetings, if not sooner. So that’s step one for us.

“Options include kind of this single division structure. It doesn’t mean we would go to that, but perhaps there are no divisions. If we do that, that needs to be carefully considered. So we’ve seen a little bit of a rush of commentary. That hey, let’s just go ahead and change our expectations for how a conference championship game is conducted. That’s really the rule at play. What do you have to do to have a championship game.”

A single division format would be an interesting change in the SEC. While Sankey stated he’s willing to listen to dialogue, he stated that it’s best not to hastily make a decision.

“So, I’ll take both sides and say good, let’s have that single division format dialogue,” stated Sankey. “Let’s not try to cram it into thirty days if people are unwilling to try to move along earlier on a CFP format.

“Think about the implications for the regular season, the post-season and post-season qualification before we just take a quick vote. So, I look forward to the conversation. In-fact, I’ve communicated that via email to my colleagues that have an interest in moving. I think it’s a worthwhile conversation.”