Well, it's official. According to Brett McMurphy, behind a “hard push” from commissioner Greg Sankey, the university presidents of the SEC have voted to add a ninth conference game to the league's football schedule. The move will be implemented starting next season in 2026. Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti has been petitioning for the SEC to play nine league games each year, and next season it will become a reality.
Furthermore, the league announced that SEC teams are "now required to schedule at least one additional high quality non-conference opponent from the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, or Big 12 conference or Notre Dame each season.