SEC's 9-game scheduling model is gaining traction

At SEC meetings in June, all 14 head football coaches and athletic directors met at a hotel on the beach in Destin to discuss a multitude of issues facing the league. There was talk about needing NIL regulations and the current state of the transfer portal.

The biggest issue was the future of the conference’s scheduling model.

With Oklahoma and Texas set to join the conference in 2025, there has been speculation that the SEC will eliminate divisions and go to a rotating scheduling model so all league teams can see conference foes on a more regular basis. During the meetings, two schedule formats arose: 3+6 and 1+7.

Kentucky was one of the schools against a nine-game model wanting to keep the scheduling flexibility that is available with eight conference games. After a week of discussions, there was an even split between the two options.

That appears to be changing nearly three months later. ESPN’s Chris Low reports that members of the league are pushing for the nine-game slate.

Hearing from more ADs and coaches in the SEC that they’d prefer to go to nine league games and play a 3-6 format when OU and Texas join. They’re certainly onboard at @AggieFootball. AD Ross Bjork told me the added revenue and being able to play more rivals make it a no-brainer.

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) August 20, 2022

That would mean three permanent opponents for every SEC team with the other 12 schools rotation off schedules on an every other year basis. The move to this new scheduling model would give Kentucky a tough decision to make.

Under Mark Stoops, Kentucky has remained committed to a specific scheduling blueprint. The Wildcats have three non-conference games against two Group of Five foes and one FCS opponent along with the annual meeting with Louisville to give the schedule nine Power Five opponents. The move by the SEC would mean that Kentucky would have to play 10 Power Five opponents if the series with Louisville were to continue.

Kentucky has wanted to keep its current scheduling model as it is the best way to secure postseason access giving the program three great opportunities at wins, therefore, creating a situation where Kentucky would just need three wins against Power Five foes to secure a bowl bid. That would be altered by the new conference schedule.

Stoops has been adamant about keeping the SEC schedule at eight games, but that is likely out of his hands at this point. Momentum should keep building for a nine-game schedule, and that will likely be in place whenever Texas and Oklahoma are added to the conference.

Kentucky will then have to make some important scheduling changes. One will be whether or not to keep playing the Governor’s Cup series with Louisville.