The SEC will switch to a nine-game conference football schedule starting next year, the league announced Thursday. Teams had been playing eight SEC games per season year since 1992. Commissioner Greg Sankey says the nine-game format will protect rivalries, increase competitive balance, and ensures SEC teams are prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff. Each SEC teams will play three permanent rivals each season, and rotate six other opponents. The new format will ensure that a team plays every SEC opponent at least once every two years.