The 2026 college football season has yet to begin, but discussions about the SEC’s upcoming campaign are already intense. This year, the SEC will shift to nine conference games, a change expected to affect teams’ win-loss records. At recent SEC media days, coaches and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey initiated a promotional effort to justify more SEC teams in the College Football Playoff.
Sankey and the SEC argue for more playoff inclusions, citing their depth and strength of schedule, despite failing to reach the National Championship game for three consecutives seasons and having a 2-7 playoff record against other Power 4 conference teams. The contrast between the SEC’s self-promotion and their recent playoff performance is noteworthy.
Commissioner Greg Sankey expressed these views during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day in Tampa, Fla., on July 20, 2026. When the SEC was winning titles consistently, the narrative claimed their teams were ‘battle hardened’ by a tough regular-season schedule. However, with the SEC lagging behind the Big Ten and facing nine conference games, the narrative has shifted.
ESPN’s Laura Rutledge recently stated, “I think one of the reasons why the SEC may not have advanced as far in the playoffs as some SEC fans would like to see is because the competition within the league is so difficult.”
Rutledge argues SEC teams face demanding schedules, leading to exhaustion and injuries by playoff time. Yet, implying previous eight-game schedules were overly challenging could argue against the SEC’s strength. This sentiment contrasts with earlier views that positioned the SEC as ready for playoff challenges.
An analysis of the 2024 Ohio State National Championship team illustrates this point. Ohio State played tough road games against Oregon and Penn State, both highly ranked, and hosted No. 5 Indiana. They faced physical opponents like Iowa and Michigan, yet excelled by defeating top SEC teams Tennessee and Texas, and then Notre Dame.
Indiana’s 2025 championship run reinforces the importance of winning without excuses. They defeated Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and Miami, showcasing resilience and excellence. The message: Focus on winning crucial games, not excuses.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, speaking at Big Ten media days, criticized the SEC’s ‘excuses culture’ stating, “We believe everything’s earned, not given… And that’s why we’re the best.” His remarks emphasize accountability and performance over complaints.
Despite SEC’s recent struggles, Notre Dame’s grievances after being denied a playoff spot highlight the complexity of playoff decisions. Cignetti’s point reflects a need for the SEC to prioritize winning over discussing challenges.
The SEC’s narrative revolves around the difficulty of games against teams like Mississippi State compared to Nebraska, or Kentucky versus Wisconsin. Success demands focus on winning. Ian Miller, a writer at OutKick, captures this dynamic.