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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey hits back on strength of SEC calendar debate

Pabio November 22, 2024

THE College Football PlayoffDomain f has been the subject of constant debate since the initial rankings were released three weeks ago.

Discussions are rife that some programs like the Georgia Bulldogs deserve a higher ranking despite their two losses due to their extremely difficult schedule.

Meanwhile, others, like the Texas Longhorns, have faced criticism due to their perceived lack of quality opponents.

THE Texas A&M Aggies have also been affected by these debates, remaining inactive at 15th as other programs have moved ahead of them in the last three poll releases.

And apparently SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has had enough, citing a scheduling graphic on social media and blowing up the narrative in the process.

“It’s interesting to read other people’s analyzes looking at ‘strength of schedule’ in college football,” Sankey said on

It’s interesting to read other people’s analyzes looking at “strength of schedule” in college football…it seems like there’s a pattern to identify… pic.twitter.com/pXSfxRMxvL

– Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) November 21, 2024

According to the chart, the SEC holds the top six spots in average strength of schedule of the top 15 teams in the CFP polls, according to the ESPN, Massey and Sagarin rankings.

Georgia (No. 8) holds the top spot at No. 1 in all three polls, while Alabama (No. 7) is second with an average of 10.0, followed by Tennessee (No. 10) with 21 .7, Texas A&M (No. 15). ) at 27.0, Ole Miss (No. 9) at 29.7 and Texas (No. 3) at 33.3.

Meanwhile, BYU, which is ahead of Texas A&M at 14th, has an average of 39.3, followed by Penn State (No. 4) at 40.7, Oregon (No. 1) at 41.7, Ohio State (No. 2) at 47.7, Miami (No. 11) at 55, SMU (No. 13) at 70, Notre Dame (No. 6) at 72.3, Boise State (No. 12) at 79.7 and Indiana (No. 5) at 83.

Obviously, the main difference between most of these teams ahead of the Aggies is that they only have one loss – or in Oregon’s case, they’re undefeated.

That said, the chart also serves as a stark reminder that, despite the narratives pushed by the national media and other conferences about some of the SEC teams appearing to have their backs against the wall, the SEC remains the toughest. conference to navigate college football.

This also means that in the case of the Aggies, there is still a path to qualify for the postseason tournament if they mind their own business.

This task will begin this Saturday evening against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium.