SEC Permanent Opponents Revealed: How the New Schedule Reshapes College Football’s Biggest Rivalries

The Southeastern Conference is on the verge of officially locking in the “three-and-six” football scheduling model, and early leaks of the matchups are already sending shock waves through fan bases. Beginning with the 2026 season, every SEC program will face three permanent opponents each year while rotating the other six conference games—creating a true 16-team round-robin over a four-year cycle after Texas and Oklahoma arrive. Why the SEC Moved to Three Permanent Opponents • Competitive balance: Leaders wanted to protect historic rivalries without over-loading any one school’s path to the College Football Playoff. • Media value: A nine-game league slate adds inventory for ESPN and the SEC Network, boosting the new $3-billion rights deal. • Expanded playoff math: With a 12-team CFP, strength of schedule is paramount, and an extra conference game provides it. Reported Permanent Opponents by Team (2026-29) Alabama – Auburn, LSU, Tennessee Arkansas – Missouri, Texas, Ole Miss Auburn – Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt Florida – Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma Georgia – Auburn, Florida, Kentucky Kentucky – Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi State LSU – Alabama, Florida, Texas A&M Mississippi State – Kentucky, Ole Miss, Arkansas Missouri – Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina Ole Miss – Mississippi State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt Oklahoma – Texas, Missouri, Florida South Carolina – Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee Tennessee – Alabama, South Carolina, Vanderbilt Texas – Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas A&M Texas A&M – Texas, LSU, Mississippi State Vanderbilt – Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss (These pairings are expected to be reviewed every four years to ensure parity.) Key Instant-Reaction Storylines Texas & Texas A&M reunion goes annual: For the first time since 2011, the Lone Star Showdown becomes a yearly SEC feature, guaranteeing monster ratings and recruiting fireworks. Third Saturday stays sacred: Alabama–Tennessee is protected, keeping one of college football’s oldest rivalries on the calendar. Florida draws the toughest trio: Gators must battle Georgia and LSU every year, plus new conference power Oklahoma. Vanderbilt’s break: Commodores avoid Alabama, Georgia, and LSU in their locked opponents, giving new coach Clark Lea a clearer path to bowls. Flex scheduling clause: If competitive imbalance emerges, the SEC can reshuffle the trios in 2030. What Happens Next? • The league will unveil the full 2026-29 conference grids during a live SEC Network special on Tuesday night, complete with dates and bye weeks. • Non-conference scheduling chaos looms as athletic directors rework future contracts to accommodate the ninth SEC game. • Expect immediate ticket-price spikes for rivalry games and a surge in NIL recruiting pitches built around national-television exposure. FAQ: SEC Permanent Opponents Q: Do the three annual rivals change? A: They remain fixed for four seasons, then the SEC’s scheduling committee can revisit them to maintain competitive balance. Q: Will divisions return? A: No. The SEC will stay division-less, sending its two best teams to Atlanta based on conference record. Q: How are tiebreakers handled? A: Head-to-head record, then divisional record (no longer applicable), then common opponents, then CFP ranking. Bottom Line By protecting marquee rivalries and embracing a nine-game rotation, the SEC’s permanent-opponents plan delivers wall-to-wall intrigue, stronger résumés for the expanded playoff, and year-round talking points for the nation’s most powerful football conference.