The change was approved by conference presidents and chancellors. It previously had been recommended by league athletic directors.

The SEC is making the right decision to preserve at least three permanent opponents per school in this new nine-game model. The conference's motto is literally "It just means more" so it would be pretty hypocritical to toss traditional rivalries in the name of staying relevant in the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee.

Beginning in 2026, SEC teams will have 3 permanent rivals and 6 rotating opponents in conference play. Each team will still be required to play a Power Conference opponent in nonconference play, though the difference now is that means 10 Power Conference opponents per year are required in the SEC instead of 9.