SEC team identified as needing to add Power 4 opponent to 2027 schedule under new CFP guidelines
By Jacob Moss
Published:
The newly expanded College Football Playoff format is set to bring about another sweeping round of changes to the sport beginning in 2027, with the elimination of conference championship games and the inclusion of twice as many teams in the tournament being two of the biggest headline grabbers over the past several days.
Another major change set to take effect next season that has flown somewhat under the radar involves updated scheduling requirements for Power 4 programs. Beginning in 2027, teams in the Power 4 will be required to play at least 10 Power 4 opponents during the regular season to qualify for the CFP at season’s end.
Most SEC teams already meet this threshold thanks to the conference’s nine-game schedule and additional out-of-conference rivalries, but CBS Sports analyst Robby Kalland has identified one SEC program that will need to make a scheduling adjustment next year to meet the new requirement.
According to Kalland, the Missouri Tigers are currently scheduled to play Illinois State, San Diego State and FAU next season alongside their nine-game SEC slate. This means that, in order to reach the 10-game Power 4 threshold, Eli Drinkwitz’s squad will have to drop one of these Group of 6 opponents in favor of another Power 4 program.
Fortunately for the Tigers, several other Power 4 teams will also need to find new scheduling partners next year, meaning Missouri does have some options. Unfortunately, however, that list includes Indiana, Oregon, USC, Texas Tech, Nebraska and TCU.
Unless Mizzou can convince a team that already has 10 Power 4 opponents scheduled to add them to the list, the Tigers will likely be forced to add a legitimate national title contender to what is already a very daunting slate.
