MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — What would happen if an SEC spring meeting came and went without discussion about the number of conference football games? I couldn’t tell you, because I couldn’t tell you the last time that topic wasn’t discussed here. It’s tradition.
Commissioner Greg Sankey cautioned reporters on Monday evening to not expect much conversation this week about whether the SEC might expand from eight to nine conference games in 2026.
Ah, but as sure as the sun sets into the blue waters here each evening, the topic reared its head.
And the SEC newcomers didn’t shy away from the conversation.
“I prefer a nine-game (conference) schedule,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said.
That’s also what Oklahoma prefers.
“We love the competition,” athletic director Joe Castiglione said of the Sooners testing themselves against the almighty SEC.
The Big 12 defectors aren’t alone in their preference for an additional conference game.
So, what’s the holdup?
An adage comes to mind. I’ll paraphrase: Money talks, and bull-poo walks.
Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (2) tackles Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during the first half in the 2023 SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
How badly does Disney/ESPN, the SEC’s media partner, want additional conference clashes on their platforms in place of a nonconference game that might involve an inferior opponent? Badly enough to sweeten the SEC’s pot?
“People tend to like when SEC teams play SEC teams,” Florida athletics director Scott Stricklin said when asked about the great schedule debate.
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True, but with an extra conference game comes extra risk for an additional loss. I can imagine SEC athletic…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eight-nine-games-why-espn-143601658.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-05-31 14:36:01
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