Texas advertisement favors 9-game model upon signing up with SEC

May 31, 2023, 08:39 PM ET

DESTIN, Fla.– When Texas signs up with the Southeastern Conference next year, the Longhorns choose to play as numerous league games as possible and Texas A&M every year.

“For where we’re at, and having Oklahoma at a neutral website, I prefer more games,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte stated Wednesday.That may have to wait.The SEC

stayed undecided on increasing the number of conference games it plays in 2024 from eight to 9, with some athletic directors stating they would like more time and info.”That’s a fascinating way for them to interact their viewpoint

,”commissioner Greg Sankey said.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Sankey reiterated that amongst the options under factor to consider is a short-term arrangement to stay at an eight-game conference schedule, with a dedication to reevaluating the design in the next year or so.A year ago when the SEC was discussing 8 or 9, the conference was running under the expectation that Texas and Oklahoma would get here in 2025, after the schools’contractual obligations to the Huge 12 had expired.A deal in between the Big 12, the schools and television partners was struck previously this year to enable the Longhorns and Sooners to join the SEC next year and become a 16-team conference.A larger conference made playing more conference games seem like a natural, however some schools, amongst them Kentucky and Arkansas, are concerned about the rigor of more SEC games.A simple bulk vote is all that is needed to implement a schedule model. While Texas and Oklahoma lean toward nine, they also do not get a vote until they are full-fledged members.There are also financial factors to consider.

There is no guarantee that ESPN, which becomes the exclusive network home of the SEC next year, is willing and able to pay additional for more conference games.Adding more conference games would likewise imply canceling some currently contracted nonconference games for SEC programs.Another element: The expansion of the College Football Playoff from 4 to 12 teams happens in 2024. The SEC expects that being a windfall for the league, and that it will consistently have numerous groups in the field.”The expanded playoff needs to be gone over,”Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said.

“Those extra games, what does that load look like? To me, if we’re going to play more Power 5 and SEC games, let’s make certain we’re rewarded for the strength of schedule. “The SEC athletic directors are arranged to fulfill Thursday

with the university presidents, who ultimately have the final say on the matter.Will they vote prior to leaving the Florida Gulf Coast? “We’ll see,”Sankey said.”Stay tuned. “