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.