• The SEC just tossed one of its cupcake games into the trash. Now, will the Big Ten dare strengthen its schedule?
• The SEC will join the Big Ten and Big 12 in playing a ninth conference game starting in 2026.
• SEC keeps requirement for members to play a Power Four non-conference opponent.

The SEC just tossed one of its cupcakes into the rubbish bin. Thank goodness. Good riddance. About time.

In news that ought to be welcomed by any college football fan who enjoys compelling matchups, instead of games against overmatched directional schools, the SEC announced Thursday, Aug. 21 it will increase to playing nine conference games starting in 2026. That will equal the number of conference games played by the Big Ten and Big 12.

Importantly, the SEC still will require its members play at least one non-conference game against either a Power Four opponent or Notre Dame.

Let me translate that: SEC teams will be required to play a minimum of 10 games against opponents seated at the big-kids table, leaving room for a maximum of two cupcake games.

Hallelujah.

Too many irrelevant games had long been one of the few stains on college football’s regular season. This decision by the SEC helps rectify that.

This move also makes the Big Ten’s scheduling model look pitiable.

Your move, Tony Petitti.

SEC stiffening schedule puts ball in Big Ten’s court

The Big Ten plays nine conference games, but its members are not required to play a Power Four non-conference opponent.

Some Big Ten teams choose to play a marquee non-conference clash, but others – cough, cough, Indiana, cough, cough – pursue the path of least resistance and avoid any non-conference opponent with a pulse.

Penn State’s non-conference lineup this season consists of Nevada, Florida International and Villanova. That’s a bad joke, and unless the Big Ten addresses its scheduling, it won’t enjoy a leg to stand on when trying to stump for its members’ résumés compared to those forged in the SEC. Six Big Ten teams will not play a single non-conference game against a Power Four opponent this season.

For years, the Big Ten fans and coaches held one good card in arguments against SEC peers about which league played a tougher schedule: The Big Ten played one additional conference game compared to the SEC. The SEC would counter that its conference, top to bottom, was stronger than other conferences, but it could not escape the reality that its membership collectively feasted on more cupcakes than other leagues.

No more.

The SEC’s addition of another conference game while maintaining its Power Four non-conference requirement solidifies its strength of schedule campaign and leaves the Big Ten standing on its back foot.

SEC aces offseason while Big Ten monkeys around

While the Big Ten spent the offseason floating absurd College Football Playoff formats that failed to gain traction, the SEC deftly moved chess pieces to strengthen its positioning in the playoff construct that currently exists – and might continue to exist in 2026 and beyond.

First, the SEC waged an offseason messaging campaign focused on its desire for the playoff selection committee to more greatly consider strength of schedule when awarding at-large bids. That campaign hit pay dirt this week. The CFP announced that, effective immediately, it will more greatly weight victories against good competition, minimize the penalty for losses against tough teams, and devalue triumphs over cupcakes.

Next, the SEC positioned itself to further capitalize on the CFP’s strength of schedule tweaks by adding a ninth conference game.

To stick the landing, the SEC could cement a 16-team, 5+11 playoff model that would unlock access to up to 75% of the playoff bracket, while knowing it enjoys the strongest cards in strength of schedule debates.

And what’s the Big Ten been up to? Well, teams like Nebraska and Indiana got busy canceling future Power Four opponents while filling their plate with tasty cupcakes.

Great move, guys. Enjoy those empty calories.

There’s really only one move for the Big Ten to make. It must reinstate an old requirement that membership play at least 10 games against Power Four opponents. Maybe, Indiana can tape together that contract it tore up when it decided to duck Virginia.

Better yet, the Big Ten could stop playing catchup and get ahead of the game by requiring not 10 but 11 total games against Power Four opponents, thereby gaining a trump card over the SEC.

Let’s hear it, Big Ten. Are you willing to join the SEC and dispose of some cupcake games?

The SEC making this overdue decision to add a ninth conference game places it in an unimpeachable position for future résumé debates. The Big Ten’s only response can be to add more meat to its schedule.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be without their top rookie for the near future.

Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was carted off the field during the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

Harmon was injured while rushing from the interior. Panthers lineman Brandon Walton blocked him on the play and Harmon ended up on the ground as Carolina quarterback Jack Plummer rolled out to his right.

Harmon was later seen on the broadcast reacting to his injury on the back of the cart. He’s been ruled out of the rest of tonight’s game.

Pittsburgh drafted Harmon at No. 21 overall in the first round out of Oregon. One of the top interior defensive line prospects in the class, he is expected to start for the Steelers this season alongside Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward.

That may change after tonight’s injury.

This story will be updated with more information when available.

• The SEC is shifting to a nine-game conference schedule in the 2026 college football season.
• The SEC has played a nine-game conference schedule for college football since 1992.
• The SEC will join the Big Ten and Big 12 as Power 4 conferences with a nine-game schedule.

This story was updated with new information

One of college football’s longest-standing debates is over.

On Aug. 21, the SEC announced that beginning with the 2026 college football season, the conference will shift to a nine-game conference schedule format for college football.

‘Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation,’ SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. ‘This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.’

The SEC currently plays an eight-game conference schedule for college football and has done so since the 1992 season. The decision also now lines the SEC up with the Big Ten and the Big 12, two Power Four conferences that have already adopted a nine-game conference schedule.

The shift to a nine-game regular season schedule for the SEC also comes less than a day after the College Football Playoff selection committee announced that it will put a greater emphasis on strength of schedule in determining the 12-team field for the CFP this season. The CFP selection committee also announced it is introducing a record strength metric that will go ‘beyond a team’s schedule strength to assess how a team performed against that schedule’ to its selection process.

Here’s what to know the SEC’s announcement that it is implementing a nine-game conference schedule:

SEC schedule format

Here’s what the full nine-game conference format would look like beginning in 2026, per the SEC’s release:

• The SEC will continue with a single-standings, non-divisional structure
• Each school will play three annual opponents focused on maintaining many traditional rivalries
• Each team’s remaining six games will rotate among the remaining conference schools
• Each team will face every other SEC program at least once every two years and every opponent home and away in four years

Additionally, SEC teams will be required to schedule at least one additional high-quality non-conference game from the ACC, Big Ten or Big 12 conferences or Notre Dame each season under this new format.

When is SEC moving to 9-game schedule?

In its announcement on Thursday, the SEC announced that it will shift to a nine-game regular season conference schedule starting in 2026. It is the first adjustment to the SEC’s conference schedule since 1992, when the conference first expanded from a 10-team membership to 12-team membership with the additions of Arkansas and South Carolina.

Power Four college football scheduling formats

With the SEC’s announcement on Thursday, the ACC is the outlier among the Power Four conferences that won’t play a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026.

Noted by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger prior to the SEC’s official announcement on Thursday, the ACC is expected to follow suit with the SEC by adopting a nine-game conference schedule.

SEC statement on conference scheduling

Here’s an additional statement from Sankey on the conference’s shift to a nine-game conference schedule:

‘The SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics,’ Sankey said. ‘Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.’

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Jaxson Dart gave the New York Giants and their fans a scare on Thursday night in the team’s final preseason game.

After earning the start for ‘Big Blue,’ the rookie out of Ole Miss had his chance to shine against the New England Patriots in front of the home crowd. Dart responded with an opening drive touchdown, continuing to showcase the talent that has everyone in blue excited for the future.

However, Dart took a hit late in the first quarter that threatened his availability going forward. The rookie landed awkwardly and had his head and shoulder driven to the turf, which caused a trip to the medical tent.

Here’s the latest on Dart:

Jaxson Dart injury update

Dart was cleared for a return to play after being evaluated for a concussion, according to Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung.

The rookie quarterback was taken into the blue medical tent after having his head slammed into the turf on a run late in the first quarter of Thursday night’s preseason game against the New England Patriots.

Perhaps the key takeaway Thursday from the NFL’s Football Operations and Player Health and Safety media briefing to reporters who cover the league was that many of its staffers have returned to work at their Midtown Manhattan headquarters after four people were fatally shot at the building July 28, when a gunman apparently targeted league employees. None of the deceased worked for the NFL, which shares its building with other companies, however one person who works for the league was injured and hospitalized with serious injuries.

NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller, who oversees player health and safety, said the league has been extremely appreciative for the outpouring of support it has received from many quarters.

“As we’ve gone through what has been a very traumatic last couple weeks for our employees here, the fact that so many people from around the country – partners, members of the media, clubs, friends – have reached out and sent their good wishes means a great deal,” said Miller.

“Not having been in this position before for many of us – and hopefully never again – I did learn the lesson that hearing from people, expressing positive sentiments and well wishes really makes a difference.”

Miller also said the NFL, in conjunction with its building managers, is implementing augmented security measures.

“We’re very lucky that our security chief, Cathy Lanier, the former police chief in Washington, D.C., has tremendous experience in this space and that we have terrific partners in the building as we look for ways to make it even more secure than it was before,” he said.

Lanier was head of the D.C. police from 2007 until her retirement in 2016, when she took her position at the NFL. That period included an incident in 2013, when she and the force had to navigate a mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in the Southeastern portion of the District that left 12 people dead.

Miller said an NFL security committee will make a full report to the league’s ownership regarding recommendations moving forward, not only in New York City but throughout the league.

After employees worked remotely in the aftermath of the incident, a league spokesman told USA TODAY Sports that the NFL offices reopened August 11 to those who were ready to physically return to the building.

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Welcome to the annual USA TODAY Sports 4th & Monday NFL newsletter FANTASY FOOTBALL EXTRAVAGANZA!

The kickoff game for the 2025 NFL season – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4 – is just two short weeks away (can you believe it?!?) and the preseason slate (thankfully!) concludes Saturday, thus unofficially kicking off fantasy football draft season¹. 

And, we’re here to help you prepare for fantasy football success and league domination against your circle of friends/coworkers/mortal enemies by providing draft tips, player rankings, value picks, sleepers, potential busts, the ever-important ‘cheat sheet’ and more!

But wait, there’s even more! USA TODAY Sports Weekly’s annual blockbuster fantasy football edition has more great advice to help you rule your draft. Order your copy today so it arrives in time for your draft!

Fantasy football rankings

These top 200 overall player rankings² are to be studied carefully and memorized to the best of your abilities for optimal fantasy football draft day needs:

1. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
3. Saquon Barkely, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
5. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Another vital guide to have handy is the position-by-position rankings for those ‘best player available’ draft-day decisions.

• Quarterback: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
• Running back: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
• Wide receiver: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
• Tight end: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
• Kicker: Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
• Defense/special teams: Denver Broncos

Fantasy must-haves: Draft strategy, value picks, sleepers, potential busts, top rookies

➤ 4 keys to nailing your draft: New head coaches. New offensive coordinators. Emerging rookie standouts. There is a lot to process on draft day. Lucky for you, Steve Gardner presents important core concepts to consider in your 2025 fantasy draft.

➤ Value picks: Looking for players who might outperform their ADP (average draft position)? Ayrton Ostly lists a dozen such late-round possibilities.

• 4 best value picks at quarterback
• Value picks by position: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers

➤ Sleeper contenders: Fantasy football is all about finding quality value picks and sleepers who can exceed preseason expectations (then, later, finding gems on the waiver wire, but that’s a conversation for another day). Ayrton Ostly has identified candidates at every position to target in drafts.

• Sleepers by position: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Kickers

➤ Potential busts: Not every highly-rated player is going to live up to expectations, and having too many of those type of players can lead to embarrassing last-place finishes and the subsequent punishments (if your league has such a penalty). Ayrton Ostly presents a player to avoid at every position.

➤ Rookies who could be fantasy standouts: Speculating which rookies will emerge as fantasy football standouts is a difficult task in August. We present some rookie running backs and wide receivers who could be immediate make-or-break difference-makers in fantasy leagues.

• Top second-year breakout candidates

RB draft strategy: Hero RB vs. Zero RB approach

Anybody who has played fantasy football knows how valuable premier running backs are to the team. But what if we told you that there’s a crazy draft strategy that suggests fantasy team owners put too much value on running backs and encourages you to pass on most (if not all) of the projected starting running backs? Sounds bonkers, right? Well, it’s also hard to pull off (but, you can try … let us know how it goes in the comments). There’s also another strategy that is a little less extreme.

• Why should you use the Hero RB draft strategy?
• What is the Zero RB draft strategy and does it really work?
• Data-driven look at who could be this year’s RB1
• Top 6 RB handcuffs to target

What should you name your fantasy team?

This is a big one! Whether you’re looking for a topical fantasy football team name suited for 2025, or just need to rebrand after a lousy 2024 fantasy season, we have some team name suggestions to help inspire you.

• Funny team names by category
• 160-plus names inspired by every NFL team
• Taylor Swift-inspired team names

: Top 25 fantasy seasons since 2001: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends

¹ IMHO, if your league holds its draft before the end of the NFL preseason, you’re doing fantasy football wrong. There are exceptions, however, such as destination drafts that bring fantasy team owners in from far and wide for an in-person selection meeting.

² Steve Gardner updates the top 200 rankings frequently, so please make sure to visit USA TODAY Sports’ fantasy football section regularly.

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For the first time in nearly two years, the New York Giants and New England Patriots will face off in an NFL game. It may be a preseason matchup but there’s a lot for both franchises to sort out ahead of roster cuts over the next few weeks.

New York’s enjoyed an exciting preseason thanks to rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The quarterback from Ole Miss led the team on three scoring drives in their last contest, a 31-12 win over the Jets. Dart went 14-of-16 passing with 137 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) to lead the way even as four Giants quarterbacks attempted at least four passes.

New England open their preseason slate with a bang in a 48-18 win over the Commanders. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took the opening kickoff – his first career NFL touch – 100 yards for a touchdown and New England never looked back. The Patriots earned another win a week later, 20-12 over the Vikings, thanks in no small part to backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ connection with rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III.

The starters on both teams aren’t expected to play much, if it all. It’s down to the backups and depth players to decide which of these 2-0 teams will leave MetLife Stadium with a win tonight.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking live updates from the Patriots vs. Giants contest. Here’s a look at the major highlights and scoring updates from the preseason Week 2 NFL battle:

Giants-Patriots score update: Greg Dulcich hauls in second TD

It’s the last preseason game and none of the starters are out there, but Giants fans have to be happy to seeing the scoring continue. Dulcich snags his second touchdown of the night to take a 32-point lead. Giants 42, Patriots 10

End of third quarter: Giants up big with 15 minutes to go

After a pair of touchdown drives led by DeVito and a defensive score, this one has gotten away from New England. The Giants take a 25-point lead into the final quarter as just 15 minutes remain in the preseason for each side.

Giants-Patriots score update: New York pouring it on with pick-six

And 16 seconds later, the Giants are back in the end zone. Wooldridge throws one behind his receiver into the arms of TJ Moore, who returns the interception 44 yards for six. Giants 35, Patriots 10

Giants-Patriots score update: Jonathan Ward takes screen pass for 41-yard TD

It was just a harmless screen from DeVito, but his short toss to Ward ends up with a celebration in the end zone for the 41-yard touchdown. New York takes an 18-point lead with about a minute to go in the third quarter. Giants 28, Patriots 10

Giants-Patriots score update: Tommy DeVito extends the lead

‘Tommy Cutlets’ has entered the program and promptly marched the Giants down the field for a touchdown to push the lead back to 11. The 11-play, 74-yard drive ends with the seventh-round rookie, Thomas Fidone II on the receiving end of the DeVito touchdown pass. Giants 21, Patriots 10

Patriots come up empty to open second half

The second half is underway and the Patriots can’t keep the momentum going to start the third quarter. A pass interference penalty put them behind the sticks and forces an early punt.

Halftime: Giants up by four at the break

The Giants were in control for nearly the entire first half, but the Patriots snuck their way back into it with 10 unanswered points. New England will try to complete the comeback in the second half while the Giants, and their fans, will likely continue replaying Jaxson Dart highlights for the next two quarters to close the preseason.

Giants-Patriots score update: Ben Wooldridge finds Jeremiah Webb for TD

Wooldridge marched the Patriots down the field for a touchdown before halftime, capping it off with a touchdown to Webb. New England took six minutes off the clock, using 14 plays to travel 80 yards, cutting further into the New York lead. Giants 14, Patriots 10

Kyle Dugger intercepts Jameis Winton on fourth down

The Giants aren’t settling for field goals in the preseason, so they opted to let Winston throw on fourth down. It naturally ended up in the arms of Dugger in the end zone, who didn’t have any competition for that ball from the quarterback. New England takes over with about six minutes to go in the opening half.

Giants-Patriots score update: Patriots cut into Giants lead

Borregales missed his first field goal, but didn’t miss this one. He connects on a 30-yarder, cutting the deficit to 11. New England benefited from a muffed punt from New York, which set them up at the Giants’ 12-yard line. It may only be preseason, but Mike Vrabel likely won’t be satisfied abut his offense’s performance after being given a gift. Giants 14, Patriots 3

End of first quarter: Giants up by 14

Only 45 minutes to go in the final preseason game for both sides and the Giants wasted no time getting out to a lead. Jaxson Dart put together another solid performance in limited action before giving way to Jameis Winston.

Giants-Patriots score update: Jameis Winston to Jalin Hyatt for six

One play after Dart exited, Winston delivered a 27-yard touchdown to Hyatt to put the Giants up by two scores. New York has been in control since the opening kickoff, especially with the clear quarterback advantage. Giants 14, Patriots 0

Jaxson Dart injury update

Dart was removed from the game by the officials after his head hit the turf on a run late in the first quarter. He was taken into the blue medical tent and evaluated before being cleared, according to Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung.

Andy Borregales missed field goal

It’s a tough moment in the kicking battle for Borregales, as the rookie pushes the 49-yard field goal wide to the right. A sixth-round pick out of Miami, Borregales is competing with Parker Romo for the kicking job on the Week 1 roster. The Giants remain in control with a seven-point lead.

Who is Ben Wooldridge?

Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs have solidified their spots on the New England depth chart, checking in as QB1 and QB2. That allows the spotlight to shine on Wooldridge for one night in the preseason finale.

Undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Wooldridge has seven years of college experience – spending three seasons at Fresno State and four at Louisiana, but didn’t play in the 2018 or 2021 seasons. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound quarterback has dealt with his fair share of injuries, however. Wooldridge dealt with a torn ACL, Lisfranc injury, sprained AC joint and a broken collarbone in recent years.

In 29 career college games, Wooldridge completed 60.9% of passes and threw for 4,769 yards, 38 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

Patriots can’t answer, go three-and-out on opening drive

Ben Wooldridge is getting the start for New England tonight, but he can’t replicate the success Dart and the Giants had to open things up. A quick three plays forces a punt for the Pats.

Giants-Patriots score update: Jaxson Dart fires a dart for the lead

A star is being born in the Meadowlands. It may just be the final preseason game, but the Giants might’ve found something in Dart. His fingerprints were all over that opening drive, marching the Giants 65 yards in just five plays for an early touchdown. Dart was 2 of 3 for 57 yards, including the seven-yard touchdown to Greg Dulcich. Giants 7, Patriots 0

Patriots vs Giants start time

• Date: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
• Time: 8 p.m. ET

The New England Patriots and New York Giants kick off their final preseason matchup at 8 p.m. ET Thursday.

Patriots vs Giants TV channel, streaming

• Cable TV: N/A
• Local TV:
  • Boston: ABC 5 (WVCB)
  • New York: NBC 4 (WNBC)
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

The Patriots vs. Giants preseason game will not be broadcast nationally as it’s being carried by Prime Video. Al Michael (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be calling the game with Kaylee Hartung reporting from the sidelines.

Fans in local markets can catch it on TV, though, with Patriots fans in Boston tuning in to ABC 5 and Giants fans in New York watching on NBC 4.

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime

Patriots vs Giants odds, moneyline, over/under

The Giants are favorites to defeat the Patriots, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2025 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

• Spread: Giants (-6.5) 
• Moneyline: Giants (-275); Patriots (+230) 
• Over/under: 37.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered. 

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.

Are the Giants starters playing tonight?

New York Giants coach Brian Daboll hasn’t specified if the Giants will play their starters but they’ll likely play little, if at all. The final preseason game is traditionally for teams to make decisions farther down the roster and the Giants will likely fall into that mode.

Is Jaxson Dart playing tonight?

Yes. The rookie quarterback is expected to get at least a quarter of action as he has in the team’s prior two preseason games. Free agent signee Russell Wilson, the starter for the regular season, is not expected to play, giving more time for Dart to get reps against opposing NFL defenses.

Is Rob Gronkowski coming back to the Patriots?

One of the best players in Patriots history was back in Boston for the opening of ‘Gronk Playground’ earlier this week. Susan Hurley, who helps run his charity, has been pushing for him to sign a one-day contract to retire with the Patriots.

‘I like that a lot. The reason why we’re really going to do that is because of Susan Hurley,’ Gronkowski said. ‘She wants to see that happen. She’s been dreaming about that happening for a while… [Robert Kraft] gave her the thumbs up, so we’re going to make it happen in the future. It’s going to be a special moment. Come back for a day, a weekend, whatever it is. We’ll make it happen.’

Gronkowski won three Super Bowls in his nine seasons with the Patriots. He retired for the 2019 season but came back for a two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a fourth Super Bowl in the 2020 season.

Is there Thursday Night Football today?

Tonight’s Giants-Patriots matchup from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts will be the first ‘Thursday Night Football’ game on Prime Video of the season. Al Michael (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) return to the booth for the first time this season. Kaylee Hartung will be reporting from the sideline as well.

‘Thursday Night Football’ is off for Week 1 of the NFL regular season as NBC will carry the season opener. Michael, Herbstreit and Hartung will be back in action on Prime Video for ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 2 when the Green Bay Packers host the Washington Commanders.

AI-assisted summary
• Each SEC team will be required to play a ‘high-quality’ non-conference opponent from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Notre Dame.
• Some schools, like Mississippi and Auburn, will need to quickly adjust their future non-conference schedules to meet the new requirement.
• Other teams, such as Florida, Georgia and Alabama, meet the requirement in the next decade.

SEC schedules are now required to get even tougher.

The league announced it will finally make the move to a nine-game conference slate starting with the 2026 season along with requiring its teams to schedule one additional ‘high quality’ non-conference opponent from the ACC, Big Ten or Big 12 or Notre Dame each season.

In short, every SEC school now will be mandated to play 10 games a season against a Power 4 team. It should up the strength of schedule of its programs, and it’s no coincidence it came after the College Football Playoff selection committee announced a day prior it would put greater emphasis on strength of schedule.

‘The SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics,” commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. ‘Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.’

With the non-conference schedule requirment set to be in place for 2026, it’s time to look to see if SEC teams will already meet the standard, or if they’ll soon have to figure out who to play.

Which SEC teams have a Power 4 non-conference team scheduled?

The good news is everyone, as all 16 SEC teams are scheduled to play at least four games against a Power 4 non-conference foe within the next 10 years, according to FBSchedules.

However, some of them are going need to quickly figure out who to put on their schedule. Most notably is Mississippi, which doesn’t have a Power 4 non-conference game in 2026 through 2031. This comes as the Rebels also don’t have a Power 4 non-conference game in 2025.

Another team that will need to figure out its immediate schedule is Auburn, which doesn’t have one scheduled in 2027 and 2028. The Tigers also don’t have any non-conference Power 4 teams set to play after the 2030 season.

Other teams that have a few years to figure out their schedules in include:

• Mississippi State: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2029
• Texas A&M: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2029
• Kentucky: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2030
• Oklahoma: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2030 and in 2035-36
• Tennessee: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2030
• Texas: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2029 and in 2032-33
• Vanderbilt: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2031
• LSU: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2032
• Arkansas: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2033

Meanwhile, there are some SEC teams that benefit from having annual rivalries with teams in Power 4 conferences, like Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, who already meet the requirement through the 2037 season. The Gators and Bulldogs have gone to the extreme with three Power 4 non-conference games scheduled; Florida has it in 2028 and 2031 while Georgia will do it in 2027, 2030 and 2033.

Other teams that won’t have problems are Alabama and Missouri. The Crimson Tide and Tigers meet the requirement all the way through 2035.

SEC future Power 4 non-conference games

Alabama

• 2026: at West Virginia, Florida State
• 2027: West Virginia, at Ohio State
• 2028: Ohio State, at Oklahoma State
• 2029: at Notre Dame, Oklahoma State
• 2030: at Georgia Tech, Notre Dame
• 2031: Georgia Tech, at Boston College
• 2032: Arizona, at Minnesota
• 2033: at Arizona, Minnesota
• 2034: at Virginia Tech, Boston College
• 2035: Virginia Tech

Arkansas

• 2026: at Utah
• 2027: Oklahoma State
• 2028: at Notre Dame
• 2029: Utah
• 2030: at Texas Tech
• 2031: Texas Tech
• 2032: at Oklahoma State
• 2033: Oklahoma State

Auburn

• 2026: Baylor
• 2029: at Miami
• 2030: Miami

Florida

• 2026: at Florida State
• 2027: Florida State
• 2028: Colorado, at Arizona State, at Florida State
• 2029: at Colorado, Florida State
• 2030: at Central Florida, at Florida State
• 2031: Arizona State, at Notre Dame, Florida State
• 2032: Notre Dame, at Florida State
• 2033: Central Florida, Florida State
• 2034: at Florida State
• 2035: Florida State
• 2036: at Florida State
• 2037: Florida State

Georgia

• 2026: at Louisville, Georgia Tech
• 2027: at Florida State, Louisville, at Georgia Tech
• 2028: Florida State, Georgia Tech
• 2029: at Clemson, at Georgia Tech
• 2030: Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia Tech
• 2031: at Ohio State, at Georgia Tech
• 2032: Clemson, Georgia Tech
• 2033: at Clemson, NC State, at Georgia Tech
• 2034: at NC State, Georgia Tech
• 2035: at Georgia Tech
• 2036: Georgia Tech
• 2037: at Georgia Tech

Kentucky

• 2026: Louisville
• 2027: at Louisville
• 2028: Louisville
• 2029: at Louisville
• 2030: Louisville

LSU

• 2026: Clemson
• 2027: Houston (neutral)
• 2028: Southern Methodist
• 2029: at Southern Methoidst, Arizona State
• 2030: at Arizona State
• 2031: at Utah
• 2032: Utah

Mississippi

• 2032: at Virginia Tech
• 2033: Purdue
• 2034: at Purdue
• 2035: Virginia Tech

Mississippi State

• 2026: at Minnesota
• 2027: Minnesota
• 2028: Texas Tech
• 2029: at Texas Tech

Missouri

• 2026: at Kansas
• 2027: Illinois
• 2028: at Illinois
• 2029: Illinois
• 2030: Colorado
• 2031: at Colorado
• 2032: at Kansas
• 2033: Illinois
• 2034: at Illinois
• 2035: at Brigham Young, Illinois

Oklahoma

• 2026: at Michigan
• 2027: at Southern Methodist
• 2028: at Houston
• 2029: Nebraska
• 2030: at Nebraska
• 2035: at Clemson
• 2036: Clemson

South Carolina

• 2026: Miami, at Clemson
• 2027: at Miami, Clemson
• 2028: North Carolina, at Clemson
• 2029: at North Carolina, Clemson
• 2030: NC State, at Clemson
• 2031: at NC State, Clemson
• 2032: at Clemson
• 2033: Clemson
• 2034: Virginia Tech, at Clemson
• 2035: at Virginia Tech, Clemson
• 2036: at Clemson
• 2037: Clemson
• 2038: at Clemson

Tennessee

• 2026: at Georgia Tech
• 2027: Georgia Tech
• 2028: West Virginia (neutral)
• 2029: Washington
• 2030: at Washington

Texas

• 2026: Ohio State
• 2027: Michigan
• 2028: at Notre Dame
• 2029: Notre Dame
• 2032: at Arizona State
• 2033: Arizona State

Texas A&M

• 2026: Arizona State
• 2027: at Arizona State
• 2028: Louisville
• 2029: at Louisville

Vanderbilt

• 2026: NC State
• 2027: at Stanford
• 2028: at NC State
• 2029: Purdue
• 2030: at Stanford
• 2031: Stanford