Peyton Manning gives thoughts on new programs joining the SEC
The SEC will look much different starting in 2024. With Texas and Oklahoma set to join the conference in 2024, the SEC is doing away with its traditional divisions. Which means the 2023 season will be the last year that SEC West and SEC East division winners will be crowned. Starting in 2024, the SEC […]
The SEC will look much different starting in 2024.
With Texas and Oklahoma set to join the conference in 2024, the SEC is doing away with its traditional divisions. Which means the 2023 season will be the last year that SEC West and SEC East division winners will be crowned.
Starting in 2024, the SEC Championship game will involve the two programs with the best records.
Tennessee Vols legend Peyton Manning was asked this week at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana how he feels about Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC.
Manning, armed with his typical optimistic outlook, suggested that the addition of Texas and Oklahoma will make the SEC a better conference.
“I guess I kind of knew that it was kind of in the mix,” said Manning (via On3). “I’m biased. I think it’s the top conference and great competition and those two storied programs, I think, will only make it better and creates, I think, some interesting rivalries as well.”
The SEC will go with an eight-game conference schedule in 2024, but a nine-game conference schedule could still be in the table starting in 2025.
For now, this is as far as SEC expansion is going. Commissioner Greg Sankey said at the SEC spring meetings earlier this offseason that his focus is only on the 16 current members (as of 2024).
“Our focus is on the 16,” said Sankey at the SEC spring meetings. “Others have taken approaches behind microphones to say, ‘We’re pursuing members. We’re pursuing members in this region.’ I’ve not done that. I think I have a responsibility to actually not do that…Go back to those who have spoken and the tumult that causes.”
Future additions to the conference are inevitable. But for now, it sounds like Sankey and the SEC are happy with 16 teams.
Featured image via Delores Delvin / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
