Things are getting confusing. In a special hour-long broadcast on the SEC Network and ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Southeastern Conference will reveal the football opponents for each school over the next four years. Each team will now have three permanent annual opponents as the conference switches to a nine-game league schedule in 2026, changing the eight-game slate that has existed since 1992. Now, in a recent post on X, On3 released each team’s “Annual SEC College Football opponents for the next 4 seasons.” This means all the main rivalries are locked in, but Texas A&M’s lineup is drawing a few raised eyebrows.

Texas A&M’s permanent SEC opponents for the next three seasons are Texas, LSU, and Missouri. While most schools got logical picks for their yearly matchups, Missouri stands out as a bit of an oddball in A&M’s trio, making fans wonder how that’ll shake out on the field.

This combination has sparked mixed reactions among fans. While the Longhorns and Tigers are natural fits, Missouri stands out as the odd choice. Unlike Arkansas or South Carolina, which have long-standing rivalries with A&M dating back nearly a century, Missouri joined the SEC relatively recently and has no deep-rooted history with the Aggies. The Tigers’ distance from the rest of the conference further reinforces their outsider status, making the matchup feel less organic. Historically, the two programs have only faced each other 17 times, with A&M holding a slight edge in the overall series at 10–7, though Missouri has claimed six of the last ten games.

Mike Elko, the head coach of Texas A&M, responded to a question regarding the schedule saying, “It is good, obviously, that we are playing the in-state rivalry. It is always good to play LSU. Missouri, I’m not sure how that fits in, but it is what it is.” Although some fans might not be thrilled about Missouri’s inclusion, the annual game might provide an opportunity for the rivalry to grow over time. The Aggies now have a definite list of yearly opponents in spite of the unusual selection, and history suggests that sometimes unanticipated games can turn into exciting matchups.

Behind the SEC’s historic shift

The switch to a nine-game conference schedule is not just about rivalries; it is also a strategic move for the College Football Playoff. Greg Sankey, the commissioner of the SEC, stated on The Paul Finebaum Show that the CFP’s “enhanced strength of schedule metrics” had an impact on the decision. He stated that although the CFP has made progress, there is still room for improvement in the way that schedule strength will be applied during the selection process. SEC teams will now play more elite opponents thanks to the extra conference game, which will make it easier for them to win over the committee and improve their playoff resumes.

The change has not been welcomed by everyone outside the SEC. Jim Phillips, the commissioner of the ACC, emphasized that his league has no immediate plans to expand its eight-game schedule. Phillips remarked, “I like where we’re at with eight games… We’ll adjust if we have to, but I think some of those traditional [non-conference] rivalry games that we really enjoy could go away.”Although the SEC’s action is beneficial for internal competition, it may create issues with other power conferences regarding upcoming games and long-standing rivalries.

Beyond the playoff implications, there is also a financial consideration. According to reports, every extra conference game brings in up to $5 million in revenue for each school each year. Also, it provides each program with the chance to boost sponsorship and advertising revenue and sell tickets to another highly anticipated SEC matchup. Sankey summed it up saying, “Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.” The nine-game schedule is more than just a change for the SEC; it’s a win on multiple fronts.