Texas QB Hudson Card against Arkansas. — The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners are not on the 2023 Arkansas schedule, which means the two won't be in the SEC until at least 2024. (Nelson Chenault – USA Today Sports)

See What Schedules for Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma Could Look Like In New Format

Eight game non-division SEC format will be blast for fans, leaves no room for strength of schedule debate by playoff committee

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Jun 3, 2023 10:51 PM EDT
Original:
Jun 2, 2023

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FRISCO, Texas – Now that the SEC has decided to have an eight game schedule with no divisions in 2024 and possibly for the next few years while existing non-conference contracts unwind, it's time to take a look at that could look like for a full cycle. The results are anything but disappointing, providing a far more exciting slate than would take place had the decision been made to go to a nine game schedule or keep the current division model.

Schedules for Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma are projected below and there is no room for debate among those on the playoff committee as to whether there is enough strength in the schedules. On top of that, since teams are being placed in a position where it's still in their best interest to keep the marquis non-conference games already slated, fans will be treated to a buffet of highly entertaining games with just enough non-Power 2 fare to get the back-ups much needed work without overdoing it.

With games like Arkansas vs. Oklahoma State, Arkansas vs. Notre Dame, Texas vs. Michigan, Texas vs. Ohio State and Oklahoma vs. Michigan, networks have a plate full of high profile games to work with even before conference play begins. Add the fact that both Texas and Oklahoma will need a non-conference game to end each season since they insist they will continue to play their rivalry game in October, leaving no one in conference available for either during Thanksgiving weekend, the door creaks open for Bedlam to continue. That is if Oklahoma State isn't so mad about Oklahoma bailing that it refuses to play or a state senator can't be found who's willing to convince Tulsa to play someone other than the Cowboys for a few years. Just consider it an SEC tryout.

As for Texas, kicking the tires on teams like Baylor or Texas Tech for an annual season-ending game will need to begin immediately also. It's not going to be easy to find a dance partner. If Texas and Oklahoma can't find suitable pseudo-rivals to close the season, then there will need to be serious consideration about not renewing that contract with the Cotton Bowl for state fair weekend. It's probably a lot of fun playing in a cramped stadium with the intermingled smell of livestock, Mexican food and grease wafting across the end zone, but if the key is simply playing in Dallas, there's an NFL owner in the area with strong SEC ties who would probably be willing to make room in his much nicer world for the game.

So, with all those things in mind, let's take a look at each team's possible schedules.