10:09: A 9-game conference schedule does not mean we will play 8 home games. We have not played 8 home games since 2013. We had 6 home games in 2014 and 7 home games every year since 2015, except for 4 home games during the pandemic shortened 2020 season when the Ole Miss home game was ultimately cancelled after being postponed a few times. The only way we can play 8 home games is to play 5 conference home games and the Power 4 nonconference opponent and the payout cupcake games at home in even years. But that would also mean having to play 6 true road games against 5 conference opponents and 1 Power 4 nonconference opponent in odd years.
A 9-game conference schedule means an uneven number of home and away conference games, but that can be mitigated. In years we have 5 away conference games, we can get an extra home game against a Power 4 nonconference opponent. Likewise, in the years we have 5 home conference games, we can play a Power 5 nonconference opponent on the road. This would mean 5/7 annual home games are against Power 4 opponents.
Since we already have a home game scheduled against Arizona State in 2026 and a road game scheduled against them in 2027, I would like us to play 4 SEC home games in 2026 and 5 SEC home games in 2027 because I would like us to play 5 home games against Power 4 teams every year. I think we would play 4 SEC home games against 1 permanent opponent and 3 rotating opponents and 5 SEC road games against 2 permeant opponents and 3 rotating opponents in even years. Then, we would play 5 SEC home games against 2 permanent opponents and 3 rotating opponents and 4 SEC road games against 1 permanent opponent and 3 rotating opponents in odd years.
A 9-game conference schedule means an uneven number of home and away conference games, but that can be mitigated. In years we have 5 away conference games, we can get an extra home game against a Power 4 nonconference opponent. Likewise, in the years we have 5 home conference games, we can play a Power 5 nonconference opponent on the road. This would mean 5/7 annual home games are against Power 4 opponents.
Since we already have a home game scheduled against Arizona State in 2026 and a road game scheduled against them in 2027, I would like us to play 4 SEC home games in 2026 and 5 SEC home games in 2027 because I would like us to play 5 home games against Power 4 teams every year. I think we would play 4 SEC home games against 1 permanent opponent and 3 rotating opponents and 5 SEC road games against 2 permeant opponents and 3 rotating opponents in even years. Then, we would play 5 SEC home games against 2 permanent opponents and 3 rotating opponents and 4 SEC road games against 1 permanent opponent and 3 rotating opponents in odd years.