KNOXVILLE — It took a pandemic to bring it about, but the SEC is planning to expand its conference schedule – at least for 2020.
SEC teams will play a 10-game, conference-only schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference announced Thursday. The scheduled start of the season will be pushed back to Sept. 26, three weeks after SEC teams' previously scheduled openers.
The SEC has not yet determined how the opponents for the two extra conference games will be decided.
“This new plan for a football schedule is consistent with the educational goals of our universities to allow for the safe and orderly return to campus of their student populations and to provide a healthy learning environment during these unique circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said.