SEC expands to nine-game schedule in 2026: Who will Auburn face yearly? – The Auburn Plainsman

The Auburn marching band in place to welcome the Auburn soccer group onto the sector on Nov 16, 2024. 
This previous Thursday the Southeastern Convention introduced that it will likely be implementing a nine-game soccer schedule starting in 2026. 
“Including a ninth SEC sport underscores our universities’ dedication to delivering essentially the most aggressive soccer schedule within the nation,” stated SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “This format protects rivalries, will increase aggressive stability, and paired with our requirement to play a further Energy opponent, ensures SEC groups are nicely ready to compete and succeed within the School Soccer Playoff.”
Underneath this format every faculty will play three annual opponents, holding historic rivalry video games intact. Auburn’s annual opponents are anticipated to be Alabama and Georgia whereas the third stays to be decided. 
Many are speculating that Auburn’s third opponent may very well be the LSU Tigers, Florida Gators, or the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and every group has a powerful case. 
LSU Tigers 
From 1992 to 2023, the 2 squads met each season within the “Tiger Bowl.” From the Earthquake Sport to the Barn Burner, this matchup has made for some iconic moments. 
Auburn’s final win in opposition to the Bayou Bengals got here on the highway in 2021, with Bo Nix main the best way for the orange and blue. 
LSU leads the all-time sequence 30-24-1.
Florida Gators
From 1945 to 2002, the Gators and Tigers performed 58 consecutive annual video games.
From beautiful No. 1 Florida in 1994 and once more in 2001 to numerous different memorable battles, this rivalry has delivered loads of iconic moments.
Auburn has not hosted Florida in Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2011 so it could make a variety of sense for the SEC to carry this annual sport again so youthful followers can get their first style of this rivalry. 
The Tigers lead the all-time sequence 43-39-2. 
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Whereas in comparison with LSU and Florida, the Bulldogs and Tigers aren’t fierce rivals however they’ve a storied historical past of enjoying each other. 
In Auburn’s 133-year historical past, they’ve confronted the Bulldogs 96 occasions, the second most in opposition to one opponent behind Georgia. 
Of their final matchup in 2023, the Tigers took down the Bulldogs 27-13, led by Payton Thorne who posted 230 passing yards and three touchdowns.
In keeping with the Mississippi State Athletics web site, the Tigers lead the all-time sequence 66-28-2.  
As a result of Auburn is predicted to face Alabama and Georgia yearly, the SEC would possibly need to make the Tigers’ third annual opponent much less of a nationwide powerhouse and the Bulldogs would match that invoice. 
“The SEC has established itself because the chief in delivering essentially the most compelling soccer schedule in faculty athletics,” Sankey stated. “Followers will see conventional rivalries preserved, new matchups extra continuously, and a degree of competitors unmatched throughout the nation.”
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Rory is a freshman majoring in journalism sports activities manufacturing. He began with The Plainsman within the spring of 2025.
You may observe him on X (Twitter) at @RorymGarvin
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