The SEC is still figuring out how to build its future schedules with Texas and Oklahoma joining. For now, the eight-game formula stays intact and for the next two seasons, the opponents will remain the same. Venues will just be switched meaning if a team plays someone at home in 2024, they will make the road trip in 2025.
Head coaches around the conference have various ideas on scheduling but Georgia‘s Kirby Smart does not have a problem with the short-term strategy from the SEC. Nor was he surprised when they stated the 2025 calendar would only be switched from the year prior.
“I’m not surprised because somebody is going to get the raw end of the deal,” Smart said. “Me personally, I just got one of the toughest road schedules in the country. I’d like to see it inverted where I got the opportunity for our fan base to have perhaps the best home schedule in Georgia history. You start modifying the model, I don’t receive the flip of the model.
You could argue the five biggest games of the season will be away from Athens. Georgia will face Clemson and Florida at neutral venues while playing Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas on the road. Those three program are considered preseason top-10 teams and are hoping to contend for a national championship.
Sure, it’s a tough draw for Georgia but Smart appears up for the battle. Especially considering they will be going to Sanford Stadium the following season. Bulldog supporters will have a treat waiting for them in the fall of ’25.
As for what comes ahead, Smart wants to watch how things play out in college football before making permanent scheduling adjustments. The College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams and by the time Greg Sankey potentially extends to a nine-game conference schedule, the CFP will be at 14. Until there are answers to some of the problems the sport has, maintaining a steady schedule is fine in Smart’s perspective.
“They presented us a multitude of opportunities,” Smart said. “The most continuity is doing this for two. Let’s see what it’s like. Let’s see how things play out. Let’s see what the CFP becomes, how many teams are going to be in the playoff. Does that designate us to move to nine? Does television have something to do with that?
“There are a lot of unanswered questions. To have a little bit of continuity and just know what you’re going to get — I’m absolutely comfortable with that.”
Leave a Reply