SEC Football: A 9-game schedule is only thing that makes sense

SEC football teams are still trying to decide if they want to play a nine-game conference schedule but in a 16-team league, how can it be avoided? 

It’s hard to believe that SEC football teams are still debating whether or not to change their conference schedule from eight games to nine.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the change to a nine-game schedule was unlikely. Some teams are worried about the uneven amount of home games or rivalries going away.

However, that part doesn’t make sense to me. How would adding a game every year in SEC football conference play make it harder to play a rival every year?

There seems to be a disconnect. In all reality, SEC football teams are just trying to make excuses to maintain weaker schedules.

If SEC football teams play nine games — they could have three protected rivals. Divisions should be gone anyway and then each team could play the other 12 SEC teams every other year.

Every team in the SEC would play every team at least once every two teams. Isn’t that the entire point? An article by 247 Sports’ Chris Hummer points out that Texas A&M has played Georgia just once since joining the SEC over a decade ago.

Are those teams even in the same conference? I get protecting rivalries but I don’t know any team that needs more than three protected rivalry games. I get that Alabama has a slew of rivals but come on, it seems like Auburn, Tennessee, and LSU will do just fine.

Some SEC football teams are worried they won’t make a bowl game with another league game, but it’s not like every SEC is out of their scheduling juggernauts. We have all seen the FCS opponents in November. And do we need 13 of 16 SEC teams in bowl games?

The idea of adding Oklahoma and Texas but not adding a conference game is just lame. It’s lame for SEC football fans and college football fans everywhere.

The last thing college football fans want is more games between Alabama and UT-Martin or whoever. Enough of that. After this season, the playoff is expanding to 12 teams, so even two losses won’t kill you and for once, the strength of the schedule needs to be a true consideration.

SEC football is the best. There is no denying that. So give the people want they want: More SEC football. It’s the only solution that comes anywhere close to making sense.