BREAKING: SEC Moves to Nine-Game Conference Schedule Starting in 2026 — Who Will Be Auburn’s 3 Permanent Rivals? Let the Debate Begin!

The rumors are over. The debates can shift into overdrive. It’s official — the SEC is making a massive move starting in 2026, adopting a full nine-game conference football schedule that will reshape rivalries, stir up traditions, and crank up the intensity like never before. Every SEC team will now have three permanent rivals, with the remaining six games rotating each season. It’s a bold change, years in the making, and now it’s real. Naturally, one of the hottest questions hitting message boards, Twitter timelines, and tailgate groups across the South is this: who should Auburn’s three permanent SEC rivals be?

Let’s just start with the obvious — this move is long overdue. For years, fans have been frustrated with the SEC’s eight-game format, where powerhouse matchups were either skipped entirely for several seasons or diluted because of uneven scheduling. That ends in 2026. With 16 teams in the league now, including the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, a nine-game format isn’t just preferred — it’s necessary. This setup ensures more variety, more balance, and more of the games that matter most. But what makes it all the more juicy is the permanent rival concept. Every team locking in three annual opponents? That’s where the passion lives, and for Auburn, the options are intense.

Let’s get this out of the way — Alabama is a lock. You can’t talk about Auburn football without the Iron Bowl. It’s not just a rivalry; it’s one of the biggest sporting events in America every year. No matter what scheduling format the SEC adopts, the Iron Bowl will remain sacred. So consider that box checked. Auburn vs. Alabama every single year — as it should be. No fan of either team would accept anything less.

The second spot? That’s where things get a little more debatable — but Georgia absolutely deserves that slot. It’s one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in the country. Auburn and Georgia have been going at it since 1892. The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry is loaded with history, heartbreak, and legendary moments. Auburn fans might be exhausted by how dominant Georgia has been in recent years, but you can’t erase the importance of that game. It belongs on the schedule every year, and there’s too much tradition to let it fade into a rotation. It might not have the venom of the Iron Bowl, but make no mistake — Georgia-Auburn matters, and it should be permanent.

Now, the third rival is where the arguments really start. This is where the SEC’s new scheduling format creates some serious tension. There are a handful of teams that could realistically fill this slot for Auburn, and each option brings something different to the table. Some fans would say LSU. Others would say Ole Miss. A few might even make a case for Florida or even a new-age rivalry with Texas or Texas A&M. But if we’re being honest, the strongest case might just be for LSU. Why? Because in recent decades, the Auburn-LSU series has delivered some of the wildest, most unpredictable, and entertaining football in the SEC. From the Earthquake Game to the cigar fights and wild finishes, it’s a game that’s always meant something — not just for the standings, but for the soul of the season. LSU is a program that matches Auburn’s energy, swagger, and intensity, and that game just feels big every single year.

That said, there’s also a nostalgic, deeply-rooted pull toward Ole Miss. The connection between the two programs goes way back. The fan bases overlap, the games are close, and there’s mutual respect mixed with just enough animosity to make it fun. Plus, there’s that Hugh Freeze factor — with him now coaching Auburn, there’s added spice every time the Tigers face the Rebels. It might not be the highest-profile option, but it’s a rivalry that has grown organically and feels more relevant now than ever.

And let’s not ignore the wildcard factor — with Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC, things are going to shift. Rivalries will evolve, and new ones will be born. While Auburn doesn’t have a long history with either program, it’s not impossible to imagine a world where Texas becomes a major rival in the next decade. The brands are big, the stakes will be high, and if the games turn competitive early, it could catch fire quickly. But for now, tradition still holds weight. Auburn fans want games that matter — and matter deeply. That means familiar faces, not just flashy matchups.

What this all proves is that the SEC made the right call. The nine-game format is going to give fans more of what they love — classic matchups, meaningful games, and fewer snoozefest non-conference Saturdays in October. It also makes the road to Atlanta even tougher, which is exactly how it should be. The SEC isn’t just a conference. It’s a gauntlet. And now, the schedule reflects that.

For Auburn, the new format presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Locking in Alabama and Georgia as two of the three permanent rivals guarantees two absolute wars every single year. If LSU ends up being the third, that’s arguably the toughest permanent trio in the league. But guess what? Auburn wouldn’t want it any other way. This program thrives in chaos. It rises when counted out. It lives for the grind. And under Hugh Freeze, the Tigers are building toward something special. If you want to be the best, you’ve got to play the best. And Auburn’s going to be doing that every single fall.

The ripple effects of this change are just beginning. Recruiting will shift. Game day atmospheres will explode with even more energy. Media attention will dial up. The rivalries will heat up in ways we haven’t seen in decades. And Auburn is right in the middle of it all. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be fierce. And it’s going to be fun as hell.

So now it’s your turn. We want to hear what you think. Who should Auburn’s three permanent SEC rivals be when the new nine-game schedule takes effect in 2026? Is it Alabama, Georgia, and LSU? Would you rather see Ole Miss in that mix? Maybe you’ve got a wildcard pick? Let your voice be heard — drop a comment right here on the site and make sure you sound off on the Facebook post that brought you here. This is your chance to shape the conversation and let the SEC know how Tiger Nation feels. War Eagle — and let the rivalry talk begin.