The legendary Florida head coach Steve Spurrier weighs in on the potential demise of the SEC Championship Game as conference play expands and playoff berths loom larger.
The SEC is set to have a big change to scheduling this year, as the league will have its teams play nine in-conference games in 2026.
SEC teams used to play eight conference games per season, with the top two teams in the conference playing for the SEC title.
However, there is a possibility the SEC Championship Game could be going away in the future amid talks of the College Football Playoff expanding to 16 or 24 teams.
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne recently told USA Today that the SEC will likely get rid of its championship game in the near future.
“I think the ship has sailed," Byrne said. "It’s run its course."
Former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier thinks that Power 4 conferences will likely axe their title games. As was talked about last season, some coaches didn't seem to care as much about the game as they did the CFP.
“I think they may do away with conference championship games,” Spurrier said on "Another Dooley Noted" podcast, via a transcription from On3. “The coaches, they don’t emphasize it. That’s sad.
"But just play your eight conference games or nine, we’re going to nine next year. Play your nine conference games, whoever’s got the best record, and you know what? You may have a co-champ. You may have three teams at 7-2.”
The SEC began having a title game in 1992. That came well before the start of the BCS era and the CFP.
The conference championship used to help boost the stock of hopefuls looking for a spot in the BCS national championship. With the CFP looking to expand, it basically only serves as a small bragging point for winning teams.
Losing teams don't really get punished in the CFP rankings. Another issue is that teams that play the extra game could have players become injured that would hurt that team's chances of winning the CFP.
While the SEC championship provided the conference a cash grab in December, the CFP will offer the league other opportunities for revenue by getting more teams in the tournament.