SEC announces conference-only schedule

After weeks of speculation, the Southeastern Conference officially announced on July 30 that the 2020 football season would include a conference-only schedule.

SEC teams will have 10-game schedules comprised of conference-only opponents, and the start date for the season has also been pushed back until Sept. 26.

The SEC Championship – originally scheduled for Dec. 5 – has also been pushed back until Dec. 19.

“This new plan for a football schedule is consistent with the educational goals of our universities to allow for the safe and orderly return to campus of their student populations and to provide a healthy learning environment during these unique circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “This new schedule supports the safety measures that are being taken by each of our institutions to ensure the health of our campus communities.”

The decision was made after SEC presidents, chancellors, athletic directors, medical advisors and conference office staff meeting with the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force.

This decision cancels a number of big non-conference games slated for the SEC around the country and was made after the PAC-10, Big 10 and ACC all announced their decisions to hold conference-only seasons. The revised schedules for each team will be released in the coming weeks.