Eli Drinkwitz: SEC coaches ‘all saying’ they might regret going to 9-game conference schedule
League had utilized 8-game conference slate since 1992
Olivia Bennett 
The SEC is officially stepping into a new era of football with the debut of a nine-game conference slate this season. However, as the league moves away from the eight-game format that has been in place since 1992, some coaches are already expressing concerns about the difficulty of the path ahead.
Coaches Voice 'Buyer’s Remorse'
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz addressed the shift during SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida, on Monday. When asked if coaches were beginning to question the move to a nine-game schedule, Drinkwitz candidly admitted that the sentiment is widespread across the league.
"We’re all saying it. We’re all saying it. I think we’re all saying it," Drinkwitz stated, via Nathalie Jones of ABC 17 in Missouri. He highlighted that LSU’s Lane Kiffin has been a vocal opponent of the transition, questioning the strategy even during meetings last year. Despite the hesitation, Drinkwitz noted that the programs are now tasked with meeting these tougher challenges head-on.
Preserving Rivalries and Raising the Bar
The push for a nine-game schedule was largely driven by the desire to maintain traditional rivalries that would have been compromised under an eight-game format. Games like Alabama-Tennessee and Auburn-Georgia are now guaranteed annually, whereas the previous rotation system forced many marquee matchups off the schedule periodically.
Beyond the increased conference slate, the SEC is also mandating that each team include at least one Power 4 opponent within their three-game non-conference schedule. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey acknowledged that this creates arguably the most rigorous schedule in all of college football, but he remains firm in the decision.
"These decisions were made after years of thoughtful discussion, careful analysis, and spirited debate, which led us to the conclusion that the nine-game schedule was appropriate," Sankey said. "It creates more compelling conference matchups and reinforces our long-standing commitment to competitive excellence. When you look at our schedule, no one has created the kind of weekly competition that exists in the Southeastern Conference."
