Is a nine-game SEC schedule a great or unhealthy factor for Mississippi State? – Sports activities Illustrated

Ever for the reason that SEC made its announcement about including a ninth convention recreation in 2026, a lot of the consideration has been paid to who will every workforce’s three everlasting opponents.
We already gave our opinion and shared who former Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill thinks would be the Bulldogs’ three annual opponents.
However let’s take a step again and have a look at the massive image.
Is that this a great or unhealthy factor for Mississippi State?
Surely, it is a unhealthy factor for the Bulldogs. They’re coming off their first 0-8 season in convention play since 2002 and it’s removed from a certainty that received’t repeat in 2025.
Including one other SEC recreation makes the rebuilding effort second-year coach Jeff Lebby is endeavor quite a bit more durable. Lebby’s success in that effort might be based mostly on wins and losses.
Does anybody assume including Auburn to the Bulldogs’ schedule – or South Carolina, Kentucky, Oklahoma, or Alabama going to make their schedule any simpler? Even when Kentucky was added, the Bulldogs’ power of schedule would go up.
So, no, this isn’t a great factor for Mississippi State.
It’s unlikely we’ll hear from Lebby concerning the SEC’s announcement till his first recreation week press convention early subsequent week. However he was asked about it at SEC Media Days last month.
“I feel for us from a scheduling standpoint, on the finish of the day, it's going to be what's greatest for the league,” Lebby mentioned. “I feel all of us as coaches have our personal opinions, however the convention on the finish of the day goes to do precisely what we have to do to proceed strengthening our place.”
Lebby is right in that the SEC coach all have opinions about including one other convention recreation. They made that apparent at SEC Conferences in Destin, Fla. after they poured a big bucket of water on the rising fireplace that was a ninth SEC recreation.
The Bulldogs’ main man will get requested about all of this sooner or later, however I anticipate a solution alongside the traces of both “it’s what it’s” or “we’re centered on Southern Miss.”
However I do imagine what Sherrill instructed me yesterday is true and that was not one of the SEC head coaches wished this. As beforehand talked about, it solely makes their job more durable and that’s all 16 head coaches, together with those in competition for a nationwide championship.
Moreover, I don’t assume you, a school soccer fan, are a winner in all of this. I don’t anticipate the SEC to maintain the requirement that every workforce will need to have not less than one non-conference recreation towards a Energy 4 workforce.
“These three non-conference video games, they’re not going to be coin flip video games, they’re going to be video games you recognize you’ll win by displaying up,” Sherrill mentioned. “That’s what is smart taking part in 9 video games within the SEC.”
Why would Texas danger shedding to Ohio State? What good would come from Mississippi State taking part in Arizona State? Or Oklahoma taking part in Michigan?
The danger outweighs the reward.
So, no, this isn’t a great factor for Mississippi State. The continued rebuild simply acquired quite a bit more durable and having a profitable 2025 season (nevertheless you need to outline success) turned an entire lot extra vital.
feed
Award-winning sports activities editor, author, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ expertise providing his opinion and perception concerning the sports activities world in Mississippi and Texas, however he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Value earlier than he may stroll. Taylor has coated all ranges of sports activities, from small excessive colleges within the Mississippi Delta to NFL video games. Observe Taylor on Twitter and Fb.
© 2025 ABG-SI LLC – SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. – All Rights Reserved. The content material on this web site is for leisure and academic functions solely. Betting and playing content material is meant for people 21+ and is predicated on particular person commentators' opinions and never that of Sports activities Illustrated or its associates, licensees and associated manufacturers. All picks and predictions are recommendations solely and never a assure of success or revenue. When you or somebody you recognize has a playing downside, disaster counseling and referral companies may be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

source