Permanent rivalries? Nonconference scheduling? Our takeaways from the SEC's move to nine conference games, and what it might mean for Alabama.

The Southeastern Conference is moving to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026, enhancing strength of schedule arguments for College Football Playoff.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq as SEC football strength of schedule rankings for 2025 season. Left out of the national championship for the last two seasons, the SEC is eager to reclaim its mantle as the most dominant conference in college football in 2025.

The SEC announced its expanding its football game schedule to nine games that will establish three rivalry games. We look at those possible matchups.

The Texas Longhorns are No. 1 in the national polls and so are naturally atop the SEC. The Aggies could be a rising star.

The Arch Manning show begins for the Longhorns, who are seeking an SEC title after coming ever so close in their first season in the conference.

SEC is shifting from its eight-game conference schedule to a nine-game conference slate starting next season. It's the first change to the conference's regular season schedule format in over three decades,