The SEC is moving to a 9-game conference schedule, a decision driven by fan demand, CFP changes, and a massive ESPN payout. Here’s why Kentucky had to agree and what it means for Mark Stoops.
It’s no secret that Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart wanted to keep the SEC football schedule at eight games. That reliable third "buy game" was a crucial, if unglamorous, part of the formula that helped Mark Stoops consistently reach bowl eligibility. It was a practical, if not exactly ambitious, stance.