Commissioner Greg Sankey Ties Possible 9th SEC Game to CFP Reform: What It Means for Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. — As the SEC continues its evolution in the era of super-conferences and expanded playoffs, a ninth conference game is back on the table—and its implications could be significant for head coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.
With the Rebels on an upward trajectory under Coach Kiffin, and poised to continue competing on the national stage, changes to scheduling and College Football Playoff (CFP) policy could either open doors or complicate their path to the postseason.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, speaking on The Paul Finebaum Show this week, acknowledged that the conversation around adding a ninth conference game has picked up momentum—but it’s tied directly to how the CFP chooses to handle seeding going forward.
Playoff Seeding Before Scheduling
Before the SEC commits to a ninth league game, Sankey wants clarity on how the 12-team playoff field will be seeded. The first year of the expanded format exposed flaws, particularly when lower-ranked conference champions were given top-four seeds, pushing higher-ranked SEC teams down the bracket—or out of it altogether.
“That raises the issue of how spots are allocated. Let’s think about last year. There are allocations. Clemson was not in the Top 12, they were allocated a spot by virtue of being a champion. Boise State is not in the top four, they’re allocated top four, that moves somebody out. Arizona State’s not in the top four, they’re moved in. Part of the pre-conversation has been, as the conference has changed, let’s take a look. Well, now we have an example. That provokes the conversation around straight-seeding.”
Greg Sankey
The Commissioner pointed to 2024 examples involving Texas and Tennessee.
“Texas went from No. 3 to No. 5. Tennessee went from hosting to not hosting,” Sankey said. “It’s difficult to explain and defend that decision-making.”
The Commissioner explained that when conference champions like Clemson, Boise State, and Arizona State jumped into higher seeds despite lower rankings, it disrupted the balance of the bracket and penalized tougher schedules—like those in the SEC.
“A team that’s playing two-thirds of their games against teams with winning records, compared to a team that’s played a very small number of their games against winning records in a different setting… That raises the issue of how spots are allocated.“
Greg Sankey
What This Means for Ole Miss
For Ole Miss, a ninth SEC game would raise the already-high level of competition, especially when combined with the Rebels’ regular Power Five non-conference scheduling. In years when the Rebels are contending for a CFP spot—as they were in 2023 and 2024—a more rigorous schedule could either bolster their résumé or push them out, depending on how the seeding is handled.
In essence: if seeding rewards overall performance and strength of schedule, Ole Miss could benefit. But if automatic bids and manipulated seedings remain, that ninth game could become a burden, especially in seasons where margins are razor-thin.
Creative Thinking Ahead?
Sankey also mentioned a new idea: using Championship Saturday to create additional play-in games that generate more access and interest—something that could reshape how bubble teams navigate late-season scenarios.
“That championship Saturday, maybe having some more games that might create more hope… It’s a really interesting concept,” he said. “But we need some clarity around what’s going to happen with the college football playoff format.”
Looking Toward 2026 and Beyond
While Sankey didn’t commit to a ninth SEC game starting in 2026, the writing may be on the wall. Whether it’s adopted then or a few years later, momentum is moving toward expanding the conference slate.
For Ole Miss and other SEC programs eyeing consistent playoff contention, the stakes are clear: adapt to the evolving structure, schedule smart, and keep winning—even if the path gets tougher.
As the CFP and SEC prepare for crucial decisions in the coming months, The Rebel Walk will be here to follow what it all means for Ole Miss.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
